CATE BLANCHETT I'm Not There
One of the most respected actresses in Hollywood, Blanchett could be this year's shoo-in for the supporting category with her gender-bending turn as rock star Jude Quinn (aka Bob Dylan) in I'm Not There. Blanchett doesn't try too hard to affect a male impersonation, resulting in one of her wittiest performances yet.

WHAT SCREEN SAID
'Most compelling of all Haynes' Dylans, Cate Blanchett plays a former folk singer pilloried by media and fans for going amplified.' Lee Marshall

RUBY DEE American Gangster
As Mama Lucas, the mother of druglord Frank Lucas, octogenarian Ruby Dee is initially sweet and accepting of her son's generous gifts, before a powerful confrontation scene in which it becomes clear she is fully aware of his shortcomings.

WHAT SCREEN SAID
'Within Scott's fast-paced drama are a multitude of tasty supporting parts (Ruby Dee as Frank's apparently naive mother, Idris Elba running the team of naked girls who chop and bag the dope), montages and setpieces.' Mike Goodridge

SAOIRSE RONAN Atonement
The 13-year-old Ronan exploded onto the awards scene with Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations and now an Oscar nod for playing Briony Tallis in Atonement. Her haunting performance as a girl confused by adult sexuality, whose actions devastate the lives of those around her, has made her one of the most in-demand teens around.

WHAT SCREEN SAID
'Saoirse Ronan is memorable as the malicious, wounded Briony.' Allan Hunter

AMY RYAN Gone Baby Gone
One of the year's breakout actresses (she is also in Before The Devil Knows You're Dead and Dan In Real Life), Ryan delivered a frighteningly vivid portrait of white trash Americana in Ben Affleck's Gone Baby Gone.

WHAT SCREEN SAID
'Special notice should go to Amy Ryan who gives a performance that illustrates how deeply flawed and unlikable her character is, while at the same time provokes sympathy for her ever-optimistic belief that she will someday turn herself around.' Tim Grierson

TILDA SWINTON Michael Clayton
Having morphed from avant-garde UK icon to leading Hollywood character actor, Swinton finally gets an Oscar nomination for her compelling performance as a general counsel crossing the line into criminality to protect her company. The contrast between the scenes of Swinton alone, unstripped, and in public, in corporate armour, are striking.

WHAT SCREEN SAID 'Swinton makes for a good corporate villain, with a whiff of decay about her fighting against another odour, that of moral sterilisation.' Roger Clarke