Long before mainstream audiences got to know Paul Dano as the quirky and unforgettable teenager Dwayne in Little Miss Sunshine, tMF had spotted some of his earlier films and had earmarked this young actor as a talent to watch.

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In the coming-of-age film L.I.E., Dano was superb as Howie Blitzer, a 15-year-old Long Island boy who became involved in a relationship with a much older man following the loss of everyone and everything he knew. Hot on the heels of the success of this film, he went on to star in such topnotch features as The Ballad of Jack and Rose, The Girl Next Door, Fast Food Nation and The King.

In the upcoming There will be Blood, which is based on the book Oil! by Upton Sinclair, Dano will again portray an unforgettable character. Eli Sunday is a charismatic young preacher who captivates churchgoers in a small town on the verge of becoming rich following the finding of oil. Daniel Day Lewis will play a rich tycoon, and together the two characters will take on the issues of family, greed, religion and oil in turn-of-the-century America. This is not the first time the actors have appeared on screen together as they previously starred in The Ballad of Jack and Rose.

Fantastic actor and now awesome director, Guillaume Canet continues to amaze! While most American audiences remember him for his role as Etienne in The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, Monsieur Canet is also known for his leading roles in such international hits as Mon Idole (My Idol), Joyeux Noël, and Love Me if You Dare, among others.

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One of his latest directorial projects, Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One), has won him the César Best Director award (France's answer to the Oscars). Produced by no less than one of Europe's most prolific filmmakers, Luc Besson, the film is one of France's most successful films to date.

The BBC described the film as:

"A phenomenon at the French box office, Guillaume Canet's take on Harlen Coben's multi-million selling novel is an energetic blend of Hollywood thrills and French cinematic style with big crossover appeal. François Cluzet plays the widower who comes under renewed suspicion when his wife's murder case is re-opened, only to receive a mysterious email containing a clue only she would know. What follows is a sometimes laughably convoluted take on the Hitchcockian 'wronged man' format, but one that keeps the thrill-o-meter on high and the suspension of disbelief even more so, largely due to its highly credible cast."

[ Official Film Site ] [ Guillaume Canet official website ] [ Film review at BBC ]

Final Results: Cillian Murphy wins by a mile! Ben Whishaw gets 2nd place while Jake Gyllenhaal is 3rd.

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POLL UPDATES: It seems that at least six of the young actors we included in the very first tMF poll have their own strong and loyal following. No surprise as they are regarded as some of today's most talented and exciting actors, with both critically acclaimed and box-office hits to their names. But there are others who are equally talented...and they need your votes too! So, take a look at our new poll for your favorite coming-of-age film and cast your vote now!

See [ Final results ]

A list of the 50 most talented and exciting young actors in world cinema, coming from the editors and reviewers and writers of the Movie-Fanatic will soon be launched!

PLUS! Our first-ever DVD contest featuring the films of Cillian Murphy!

and much more from tMF as we shall be launching our new look very soon!