Penelope Cruz won in this category last year (and also has a Best Actress nod in her past).
This is the first nomination for the other four.
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I admit I haven’t seen Precious or Nine. Of the others, my favorite performance was Anna Kendrick. She really lit up the screen.
Mo’Nique. I like all the others but no one comes anywhere near her.
Marion Cotillard could easily have taken Penelope Cruz’s place for BSA. They were the best things about the movie.
I almost voted for Farmiga – she was perfect in that role. Honestly, I thought Kendrick was a little hammy.
I loved Crazy Heart, but Gyllenhall was badly miscast.
Mo’nique had the meatiest role and was superb, so I gave the nod to her.