The Oscars 2009: Best Actress Nominees

The English rose finally looks set to put her Oscar woe in the rearview mirror, after her heart-rending role as a woman put on trial for Nazi war crimes. Having scooped a Golden Globe and Bafta, she is a strong favourite to make it six-time lucky on February 22.

Her Globes acceptance speech sparked a worldwide backlash, nevertheless she made amends a little at the Baftas. At the end of the day, it's an intense, moving turn any actress would be proud to call their own from The Reader.

Fifteen nominations and counting for the grande dame of celluloid with the legendary thespian up again this year, due to an electric turn in Doubt. Playing a stubborn nun, who clashes with a  priest, Meryl has given herself a great chance of win number three.

Whether she can upset the Winslet bandwagon is another thing, though, especially with her three co-stars also getting nominated and sharing the spotlight. Whatever happens, it's been a banner year for her with Mamma Mia! breaking box-office records too worldwide.

Very much the dark horse in this year's excellent race, Anne could yet shock the establishment with a surprise win for Rachel Getting Married. Best known for frothy romcom and slapstick roles in The Devil Wears Prada, Get Smart and Bride Wars, she simply sizzles in this low-budget indie.

Having maverick director Jonathan Demme at the helm obviously helped Hathaway to turn on the acting fireworks, as a rehab perennial out to cause havoc. However it also shows that she's not just happy bringing in dollars. 

The odds on Brad and Ange making it a win double in the Best Actor and Best Actress races are nearer 200-1, so the Pitt/Jolie clan's film awards cupboard looks set to stay the same after February 22. That's not to say that Ange's perf isn't great, because it jumps right off the silver screen.

Clint Eastwood's no nonsense approach to directing worked wonders with Angelina who, lest we forget, has already scooped an Oscar for her troubled supporting turn in the mental asylum drama Girl Interrupted back in 1999.

Just like Richard Jenkins, Melissa's nomination is reward for a sensationally spirited performance in a film that would usually fall between the cracks in the Academy's basement. Frozen River is a small independent film that has been rocketed into the frame thanks to clever marketing.

Thank the Lord, too, because Leo's turn as a single mother drawn into the dangerous world of cross-border people smuggling is a sight to behold. Given free rein to explore almost every conceivable emotion, she's an outsider in the race but worth every cent.