LOS ANGELES — The only certainty when it comes to this year's lead actress Oscar race is that there is no certainty. And there won't be until the envelope is opened and the winner's name is read at the ceremony on March 27.
None of the nominees appeared in a movie nominated for best picture. One, Kristen Stewart from "Spencer," earned her film's sole nomination. Three of the women — Olivia Colman, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman — already have an Oscar, though that was not an impediment last year when Frances McDormand won her third lead actress trophy (and second in four years) for "Nomadland."
Voters and awards consultants call me nearly every day making an argument for their favorite nominee (or client, as the case may be). Could any one of the five women nominated for lead actress win? Judging from these conversations, yes. But this is Hollywood, a place where imagination is often divorced from reality. Let's take a look and see.
