subject: The Oscar Race For Best Actress [print this page] Much to the surprise of the film press, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences decided to make their announcement of the nominations for the Academy Awards a full two weeks prior to the typical date this year. Because of that move, many of the other film awards that generally act as precursors to the Oscars rescheduled their dates as well. As a result, many of the major non-Oscar awards have announced their nominees, and Oscar prognosticators now have a feel for what the nominees will be on January 10. Here are the women who look like they will be fighting for the coveted Best Actress prize come February 24.
Jessica Chastain in "Zero Dark Thirty"
Last year's breakout star landed a nomination in the supporting category for her charming turn in "The Help." It was likely she would garner a nod, seeming as how she seemed to star in every other movie in 2011. This year, she only has the one role to her credit, and it comes as a persistent CIA agent on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden in Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty." Chastain as earned raves for the still unreleased film, and has landed nods at all of the major ceremonies. If "Zero Dark Thirty" continues to pick up steam in the Best Picture race, as many think it will, Chastain could win the whole thing.
Marion Cotillard in "Rust and Bone"
It's been five years since Cotillard won an Oscar for her transformative performance as French chanteusse Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose." She hasn't been nominated since. Look for her to be back in the race for her highly acclaimed turn as a paraplegic involved in a tragic romance in Jacques Audiard's "Rust and Bone." The Academy is known to have a soft spot for actors who play characters with disabilities, and they have also previously demonstrated a soft spot for this French beauty.
Jennifer Lawrence in "Silver Linings Playbook"
If this category has an ostensible frontrunner, it's Jennifer Lawrence for her complex work as the traumatized object of Bradley Cooper's affection in "Silver Linings Playbook." Lawrence has earned several critics prizes for her acclaimed performance, and had secured all of the major nominations. The fact that she headlined one of the biggest hits of the year, "The Hunger Games," certainly works to her advantage as well (Hollywood loves a winner). The biggest negative that she has against her in the race for the trophy is her age. Academy voters may deem her too young to receive such a distinguished prize. But she's in the race for sure.
Emmanuelle Riva in "Amour"
It's certainly rare for two foreign language performances to make it into the final five, but Riva has been considered something of a sure shot since the debut of "Amour" at the Cannes Film Festival last May. Riva and her co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant have received raves as an elderly married couple trying to hold on to their love. Trintignant faces a much more crowded category in the Best Actor race, and it feels like one of these two has to be nominated, given that "Amour" is possibly the most acclaimed film of the year. Count on Riva being the nominee.
Quvenzhane Wallis in "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
"Beasts of the Southern Wild" has been a critics darling in 2012 ever since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. One of the reasons this indie treasure sent critics positively aglow was because of the vivacious turn from nine year old first time Quvenzhane Wallis as an imaginative girl surrounded by the devastating aftermath of a hurricane akin to Katrina. Her young age keeps her out of the race for the win, but the Academy has a history of rewarding children who give exceptional performances. Wallis is sure to be part of that history on January 10.
