‘The Dark Knight’: Red carpet winner and loser

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Last night’s New York premiere of the long-anticipated ‘The Dark Knight’ brought out stars, reality show fixtures and plenty of fashion. Perhaps -- because of the recent untimely death of co-star Heath Ledger -- many celebs opted for somber ensembles of black and monochrome colors. The final tally:

Winner: Maggie Gyllenhaal, who also stars in the movie as Christian Bale’s love interest.

Why: Her elegant black column gown, emblazoned with a spray of vivid florals, manages to play the forces of good and evil across her front. I also adore her two-toned sandals -- maybe Jimmy Choos? -- and unadorned clavicle.

Gyllenhaal has always been a study in stoicism on the red carpet. She rarely overdoes it with accessories or florid get-ups. Her simple, pulled-back hair and low-key earrings don’t distract from her face. The red lips and light makeup complete the elegant palette.

Loser: Penn Badgley, of ‘Gossip Girl’ fame and beau to Blake Lively. Um, Penn, did someone grab you en route to the dry cleaner and say, ‘Hey! I got an extra ticket to the premiere of the hottest movie of the summer. No! You look great! Come on!’

Why: The smarmy expression, coupled with jeans and a lame v-neck T-shirt, broadcast an unabashed lack of effort. Badgley looks like he thinks: ‘Batman? Big deal. And I had Joker Underoos back in the day. Whatevs, man, whatevs.’

Photos: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images