Uptown Girls

Brittany Murphy drew attention for strong supporting performances in “Don’t Say a Word” and “8 Mile,” and less flattering notice for duds like “Just Married.” She’s the true lead here, in a comedy that combines elements of “Private Benjamin” and bestselling novel “The Nanny Diaries.” Rich girl loses her fortune and is forced to take humbling -- though ultimately self-revelatory -- work as a nanny to a neglected rich child who, in true Hollywood fashion, teaches her about life. The child is played by Dakota Fanning, a 9-year-old who has already played opposite Sean Penn in “I Am Sam” and Mike Myers in the upcoming “The Cat in the Hat.”

*

Comedy (Aug. 15)

MGM

With: Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Marley Shelton, Donald Faison, Heather Locklear.

The idea: Swindled out of her fortune, a rich girl becomes a nanny to an 8-year-old.

Writers: Julia Dahl and Mo Ogrodnik and Lisa Davidowitz; story by Allison Jacobs.

Director: Boaz Yakin.