( best actor).

Supporting ActressContenders Might Wishfor an Absence of ‘Help’ forOscar ® NominationsBy PeteHammondKate Winslet, CarnageCould one movie dominate this year’s best supporting actress Oscar® lineup? Certainlyan argument could be made for any number of actresses in the ensemble hit, The Help.But it is more likely Oscar ® voters will want to spread thewealth rather than repeat what they did for 1963’s Tom Jones,when three ladies won the lion’s share of nominations in thecategory. The competition among supporting thesps is justtoo strong this year to go in that direction. Here is a look atthe way this highly competitive category is shaping up.| FRONT RUNNERS |SHAILENE WOODLEYTHE DESCENDANTSBreaking out of the cable TV teen comedy ghetto,Woodley showed she is the real deal, delivering alayered, complex and three-dimensional performanceof a teenage girl who suddenly faces big responsibilities.Creating a believable father/daughter relationshipopposite George Clooney, Woodley emerged as theone to watch from her generation. (See page 34)06 The Awards Edition 2011-2012 Issue 04A version of this story originally ran onDeadline.com on Dec. 12, 2011.OCTAVIA SPENCERTHE HELPAs Minny Jackson, a civil rights-era maid, Spencer madea very memorable pie and got the bulk of the laughsamong a large ensemble. She is a sure thing nominee, notonly for her comic ability but her dramatic scenes too,judy dench, My Week With Marilynmaking her a formidable contender and crowd favorite.(See page 33)BÉRÉNICE BEJOTHE ARTISTTaking on the challenge not only of playing the lead femalerole in a black and white silent film, Bejo also had to learn totap dance and sing in addition to being a believable buddingsuperstar of the silver screen. In other words she does it allexcept talk. But it’s more than enough. (See page 35)VANESSA REDGRAVECORIOLANUSAs an ambitious and politically shrewd military womanand mother, the inimitable Redgrave had her finest houron screen in years, particularly in one killer monologuethat remains perhaps the finest piece of acting in any 2011movie. A controversial Oscar ® winner for 1977’s Julia,her performance here is certain to net her a remarkableseventh career nomination.SANDRA BULLOCKEXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSEFor her first role since winning the best actress Oscar ® twoyears ago for The Blind Side, Bullock took on a smaller butvery meaningful role as the mother of a boy searching foranswers after his father is killed on 9/11. Highly emotionaland nicely underplayed, Bullock gets another shot at thebrass ring and should have the audience in tears once again.Continued on p12