THE NOMINEES
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno
WHO SHOULD WIN
Fareed Ben-Youssef: Julie Christie
All of these are great performances, but in some not-so-great movies, which bring us to Julie Christie. She delivers the old Alzheimer's chestnut performance, but she does it with a lot of humanity. She walks the line between lucid presence and absence, and it feels so real.
Adam Tanaka: Laura Linney
Linney gives a really tender and heartbreaking performance. She made the movie for me. When you see her faces you can't really imagine her playing a loser, but she pulls it off in spite of her beauty.
Jun Koh: Ellen Page

I think she carries "Juno." If it weren't for her, the film would not have gotten the Best Picture nomination. Jason Reitman ought to worship at her feet. Without her, the movie wouldn't have the same essence.
Russell O'Rourke: Julie Christie
Because I've been in love with her ever since I saw "Dr. Zhivago."
WHO WILL WIN: Julie Christie
After a really long career, Julie Christie deserves something, and this is a movie where she gives a great performance. -AT