Split personality! Maggie Gyllenhaal can't decide which colour to wear... so opts for two-tone dress at premiere

PUBLISHED: 22:56 EST, 23 September 2012 | UPDATED: 09:57 EST, 24 September 2012

When the stylist presents an array of designer dresses to choose from, it must be tricky to make a final decision about the best gown for the event in question.

And it seems Maggie Gyllenhaal was unsure if she should pick gothic black or princess pink - so she opted for both.

The Donnie Darko actress graced the red carpet at the premiere of her new film Won't Back Down wearing a floor-length spaghetti strap halter-neck creation that showed both sides of her personality.

Indecisive: Maggie Gyllenhaal wasn't sure if she should go for a light or dark shade of dress for her New York premiere of Won't Back Down

Indecisive: Maggie Gyllenhaal compromised with light and dark hue for her Won't Back Down premiere in NYC

Back in shape: Maggie Gyllenhaal looked trim at the premiere of Won't Back Down, having had her second child in April

Back in shape: Maggie looked very trim, having had her second child with Peter Sarsgaard in April

It seems the right panel represented her wholesome side, having just had her second daughter Gloria with husband Peter Sarsgaard in April (they also have Ramona, who turns six next month).

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Meanwhile, the dark shade on the left was symbolic of Maggie's edgier side, having taken centre stage in bondage film Secretary and later The Dark Knight.

Her latest film follows two mothers, a bartender (Gyllenhaal) and a teacher (Viola Davis), who risk everything in the hope of transforming their children's failing school to better their education.

Genuine: Viola Davis and Maggie seemed to project a genuine connection rather than just wanting to pose

Taking the plunge: Viola chose a low-cut gown, accessorising with a silver clutch

Viola was also in attendance at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan, opting for a low-cut blue gown which she accessorised with a silver clutch and silver drop earrings.

The 47-year-old, who has one adopted daughter and two stepsons from husband Julius Tennon's former marriage, has been in the showbiz industry for an impressive 15 years.

Despite her long run in the entertainment world, it wasn't until 2011's The Help that she became a household name.

Simple yet stylish: Rosie Perez opted for a LBD with an off-the-shoulder design

Having starred alongside Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer in the silver screen adaptation from the novel of the same name, Viola earned an Oscar nomination and won a further 21 awards.

Accompanying the leading ladies on Sunday evening were co-stars Rosie Perez and Oscar Isaac.

Rosie, 48, played it safe in black, but her LBD did not let her down in the style stakes.

Leading man: Oscar Isaac looked rather dapper in his suit and tie

Tattooed! Maggie sports a breast inking in Won't Back Down - as her character fights for her child's education

The Academy Award-nominee showed a hint of cleavage in the off-the-shoulder number, as her long curls cascaded over her shoulders, with the actress looking a far cry from approaching the big 5-0.

Guatemalan-born Oscar was certainly the sharpest dressed of the male guests, looking dapper in his grey suit and black tie.

While he is yet to reach the notoriety of Gyllenhall and Davis, the 32-year-old is amassing a rather impressive filmography, having played Prince John in Robin Hood, and been cast in Madonna's W.E.

Guests: Actor Tony Danza and musician Peter Cincotti flew the flag for the boys

Guests: Actor Tony Danza and musician Peter Cincotti flew the flag for the boys, while songwriter Sia looked in high spirits

Guests: Who's The Boss? actor Tony Danza and musician Peter Cincotti flew the flag for the boys, while songwriter Sia looked in high spirits flying solo

Director Daniel Barnz is the man behind the lens for Won't Back Down, who previously gave us Beastly, a modern take on Beauty and the Beast with Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens.

Gyllenhall's next project is already in the pipeline, with the 34-year-old to share the screen with Channing Tatum in thriller White House Down.

The tale will follow a United States Secret Service agent (Tatum) who must rescue the President of the United States (Jamie Foxx) from a paramilitary group that has taken over the White House.

Watch the trailer here:

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She's plug ugly.

- xsnake , orrs island, 25/9/2012 03:04

Click to rate Rating 3

Maggie seems to find and take on proper acting roles. That put's her top of the pile in my book. Her films are always worth watching.

- Fred the Red , Redsville Little Britain, 24/9/2012 19:36

Click to rate Rating 15

No, I don't believe she and Jake were ever in "competition" for the same roles: She auditions for female parts and Jake auditions for male parts. Yes, his career took off faster and he is more famous, but I cannot figure out how they would both be in direct competition for the SAME roles. It makes no sense.

- Keiko in T.O. , Ontario, 24/9/2012 18:25

Click to rate Rating 10

I LOVE Maggie. Let's be honest - she is attractive, but her brother Jake is much prettier than she is. And she was told to her face, more than once, that she was too plain to ever make it in Hollywood. But she didn't listen to all that negativity and look at her now. She hasn't had any surgery (that I can detect) yet has carved out an acting career despite the odds, just based on her talent. We've seen most of her work, and she is a great actress. (And also a loving wife and mom to boot.) I wish her continued success in her family life and her career.

- Keiko in T.O. , Ontario, 24/9/2012 18:03

Click to rate Rating 11

can't help but loving Maggie, she's such a refreshing person!!!!!

- princess , birmingham, 24/9/2012 17:00

Click to rate Rating 21

She and her brother were competitive for quite some time. I think now it's clear he has won. More movies, better movies, better roles, working more, earning more I am sure.

- mchris08 , valdemar, 24/9/2012 15:55

Click to rate Rating 14

"'The Donnie Darko actress'? No DM, her brother was in Donnie Darko, she wasn't. Get your facts right! - CC , Brighton, 24/9/2012 09:25" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Why take the time to comment on something if you dont actually know what your on about? Just for your info both of the Gyllenhaals are in Donnie Darko. Maybe you should check your facts? The ironic thing is that whichever machine you typed this on almost certainly has google and had you took your own advice and checked your facts you would not have made such a failure of a statement.

- keith0850 , Falkirk, 24/9/2012 15:19

Click to rate Rating 25

Ooo, I love Viola Davis! That colour looks so sensational her, too. She looks absolutely beautiful. I like Maggie's dress as well but it deserved an elegant pair of strappy gold sandals. Even flat would have been fine but it needs a little something to complement the femininity and flow of the cut.

- persephone , beautiful rain land, United Kingdom, 24/9/2012 10:50

Click to rate Rating 38

read on a few blogs that she is one of the nastiest actresses in Hollwood... awww but she just looks so sweet..

- rach , byron, 24/9/2012 10:21

Click to rate Rating 12

"'The Donnie Darko actress'? No DM, her brother was in Donnie Darko, she wasn't. Get your facts right! - CC , Brighton, 24/9/2012 09:25" You may want to check that CC

- Fred the Red , Redsville Little Britain, 24/9/2012 10:06

Click to rate Rating 68

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