Rooney Mara and Alicia Vikander could have been considered in the Best Actress category.
The first award to be announced on the Oscar night is the Best Supporting Actress. There has been much confusion over this category given two of the contenders, Rooney Mara for Carol and Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl, had an equally important role in the film. Meaning both could have been considered for the Best Actress category. Both these actresses campaigned to be considered in the Supporting Actress category instead, a move that's been termed 'category fraud'.
No point fretting now. Let's take a look at the nominees before I tell you who shall take the trophy home.
Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue, The Hateful Eight
Jennifer Jason Leigh is the only lady in the all-male cast of The Hateful Eight. A badass bandit with a flare for humour, of course, she stands her own among the stalwarts and Tarantino favourites Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Tim Roth.
This is Leigh's first Academy nomination. She was nominated for Golden Globes, BAFTA, and lost to Kate Winslet at both. But this is still an open category with the chance of a surprise win for Leigh.
Rooney Mara as Therese Belivet, Carol
Rooney Mara's Therese is inspired by the spirit and power that is Carol Aird (played by Cate Blanchett). Therese finds her confidence in the encouragement from Carol and finds that spot in her heart that hurts when Carol abandons her. Rooney Mara plays all these transitions in perfect 'Rooney Mara' style. In my opinion Mara's use of her eyes is always amazing but especially in Carol, where she is a photographer and Carol is her muse. We see Carol through her eyes.
This is Mara's second nomination. She was nominated for Best Actress for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in 2011.
Rachel McAdams as Sacha Pfeiffer, Spotlight
When it's an ensemble cast, there is very little chance that the individual actor will shine through. But McAdam's Sacha Pfeiffer stays with you. Especially when you look at the scene where she tells Michael Rezendes (played by Mark Ruffalo) that because of the investigation they are doing she has stopped going to the church.
It's very hard to not be affected by the story in an overall manner. But McAdams' subdued, controlled portrayal of Pfeiffer stays with you even after the film is over.
This is McAdams' first Oscar nomination.
Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener, The Danish Girl
This is the second portrayal of a real life person in the supporting actress category. In my opinion, this performance should have been included in the Best Actress category.
Vikander has had a wonderful year. Ex-Machina, Man from UNCLE, and The Danish Girl— all successful movies.
Vikander does such a fabulous job of showing us the character arc of Gerda Wegener. First she is a wife under the shadow of her husband's success. Then she is a successful artist. Then she is a wife losing the man she loved. In the end, she is the best friend who wants Lili Elbe to have what she rightfully deserves. The strength, the vulnerability. Ah! Vikander is a treat to watch.
This is Alicia Vikander's first nomination. If one is given free reign and does not consider the 'Academy odds', Vikander will be their first choice to win this trophy.
Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman, Steve Jobs
Winslet is an Academy darling. The statement is a fact and in no way intended to undermine her performance in Steve Jobs. Winslet effortlessly puts on the very distinct accent of Joanna Hoffman, the marketing executive who helped steer Steve Jobs's computer companies to success.
Winslet's Joanna is the sounding board to Jobs' irrational decision. Winslet never falters in Aaron Sorkin's word-heavy screenplay.
This is her seventh Academy nomination. She won the Best Actress trophy for her role in The Reader in 2008.
Who will win - Hedging my bets here. It could be Alicia Vikander if the Academy decides that Kate Winslet has had enough wins and nominations!
Winner last year - Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
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