Profiles of the stars nominated for the best actress award at the 80th Academy Awards, to be held at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles on 24 February.
CATE BLANCHETT
Age: 38
Nominated for: Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The character: Blanchett reprises her role as the 16th century English monarch, which saw her gain an Oscar nomination in 1999.
Previous Oscar wins: One (best supporting actress for The Aviator in 2005)
Previous Oscar nominations: Two
She said: “For me, on a small, prosaic, domestic level this was a woman confronting the ageing process but also confronting her past.”
The critics said: “Cate Blanchett can do anything, even play Bob Dylan, but she can’t save this creaky sequel to her star-making 1998 biopic of Elizabeth I.” (Rolling Stone)
Best frock: The yellow Valentino couture gown with burgundy sash in which she collected her Oscar in 2005.
JULIE CHRISTIE
Age: 66
Nominated for: Away From Her
The character: Fiona, a beautiful and intelligent woman who develops Alzheimer’s.
Previous Oscar wins: One (best actress for Darling in 1966)
Previous Oscar nominations: Two
She said: “If I don’t make films, no-one is going to write about me and most people have forgotten who I am anyway.”
The critics said: “She somehow simultaneously conveys presence and absence, a still-vibrant bundle of gorgeous contradictions.” (The Washington Post)
Best frock: A daring sleeveless gold lame pant suit, which wowed the Oscars audience in 1966.
MARION COTILLARD
Age: 32
Nominated for: La Vie En Rose
The character: Edith Piaf, France’s legendary torch singer, who endured a lifetime of tragedy and hardship before recording her signature song Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.
Previous Oscar wins: None
Previous Oscar nominations: None
She said: “I was prepared to fight for this part. I was ready to do almost anything.”
The critics said: “Marion Cotillard is a vulgar marvel as the stumpy street singer with a salty honesty.” (The Times)
Best frock: Strapless silver dress with sequin details from the European Film awards in Berlin.
LAURA LINNEY
Age: 43
Nominated for: The Savages
The character: Wendy Savage, a woman who has to face the reality of responsibility as she cares for her ageing father.
Previous Oscar wins: None
Previous Oscar nominations: Two
She said: “It’s a big rule of mine that you do not flirt with the audience. It’s not my job to tell an audience how to feel or to manipulate them. Some actors are wonderful at it, but I work another way.”
The critics said: “Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney… are in peak form, and together they play off each other with the unfettered, joyous collaboration of great chamber musicians.” (Entertainment Weekly)
Best frock: A red Valentino gown she wore for the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in 2001.
ELLEN PAGE
Age: 20
Nominated for: Juno
The character: Juno MacGuff, a teenager who discovers she is pregnant by her best friend and decides to schedule an abortion.
Previous Oscar wins: None
Previous Oscar nominations: None
She said: “It’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. So right now, sitting here, it’s pretty frigging surreal to think that I actually got to be Juno.”
The critics said: “Ms. Page manages to portray Juno’s extravagant travails with a precision and economy bordering on parsimony.” (Wall Street Journal)
Best frock: With her hair in a chignon, Page wore a stylish but simple black cocktail dress to this year’s Critics Choice
