The Best Actress race has become one of the most predictable races since 2006. In that year, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, and Kate Winslet were the front-runners for the award from the beginning of the race. This year, the same thing is happening with the five women in the category.
Leading the race is Cate Blanchett who will most likely win for her performance in "Blue Jasmine." The actress has won seven accolades for her role including the New York Film Critics and Los Angeles Films Critics. She was also nominated for the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes. While she has not swept the awards circuit, Blanchett's performance has been the front-runner since her film was released in the summer.
Sandra Bullock's performance in "Gravity" is another one that has been receiving a lot of buzz and has also been nominated for SAG and the Golden Globes. Additionally, she has also won three critics' circles. The actress is the only person in the film and with "Gravity" a sure best for Best Picture, Bullock is a lock for the award.
Judi Dench is also receiving buzz for her performance in "Philomena." She already got nominated for the Globes and the SAG awards. However, she has no chance of winning, especially after losing British Independent Awards where she was a front-runner for Best Actress. However, "Philomena," is gaining buzz after receiving a Best Picture nomination for the Golden Globes and that will help Dench's claim for the Best Actress nomination.
Meryl Streep is the Oscar veteran and this year she will not be excluded for her work in "August: Osage County." She is garnering buzz for her performance, although she has not won a single precursor award. However, with a Globe and SAG nomination and Harvey Weinstein's backing, Streep is a lock for an Oscar nomination.
Emma Thompson is likely the weakest link the category but it is unlikely she will get cut off the list especially after the SAG and Golden Globe nominations. Her performance in "Saving Mr. Banks" is getting rave reviews and with a win from the National Board of Review she is sure to get nominated.
Two other actresses can still surprise: Kate Winslet for "Labor Day" and Amy Adams for "American Hustle." Both are Oscar veterans, however, given the status of the other five women, it is unlikely they will make the cut.