Kate vs. Kate

Having garnered an unmatched six Oscar nominations by age 33, Kate Winslet is considered one of the finest actresses of her generation. This year, the remarkably consistent actress delivered superb work in both "Revolutionary Road" and "The Reader."

While each feature has received acclaim, only "The Reader" has earned her an Oscar nomination. A breakdown of her two performances will shed some light on which film best showcases Winslet's talent.

Difficulty of the Role: The Reader

In "Revolutionary Road," the actress plays a repressed housewife disgusted by her '50s suburban life. Though well executed, it is ultimately a more conventional role than her controversial "Reader" character, a simple yet stern German who is revealed to be a former Nazi guard. "The Reader" is the more challenging performance: Winslet needed to make Hanna a wretched, sympathetic woman whose society encourages her to commit an atrocity.

Strength of her Accent: Tied

Winslet demonstrated long ago that she can handle any accent with aplomb, and her German accent in "The Reader" is as convincing as the American twang in "Revolutionary Road."

Appearance: The Reader

While both roles depend largely on the actress' strong sexuality, "The Reader" forces Winslet to quietly convey intense emotion through increasing amounts of makeup as her character ages over several decades.

Quality of the Film: Revolutionary Road

Although "The Reader" explores more challenging themes, the intense "Revolutionary Road" is a gripping exploration of the dissolution of a suburban couple that features a tighter, more cohesive narrative.

Overall Winner: The Reader

Both roles are a testament to the actress' uncanny range, but "The Reader" better highlights Winslet's signature fearlessness. Comparing the two films side by side shows that the Academy has honored the right Winslet performance.