My Award Nominations: Actress

No dearth of quality options to choose from, as the women's category was way more competitive than the men's for a change of pace. So competitive, in fact, that a couple of legit contenders saw their campaigns sneakily shuffled to the supporting category for lack of room in this one. You'll see no such fraudulence from me, but it forced me to make some heartbreaking omissions. My Best Actress selections are:

CATE BLANCHETT in Carol Blanchett

Walks the fine line between a woman completely comfortable in her own skin and a woman living life constricted in a man's world. Her features and hand gestures are magnificently communicative.

BRIE LARSON in Room

Her raw maternal desperation in the first half is so emotionally draining, one wonders where Larson can go from there. But she peels back even more complex layers as Ma struggles with her freedom.

ROONEY MARA in Carol

“Supporting actress” my eye! Carol is as much her movie as it is Blanchett's, and Mara earns that billing with this quietly sensitive performance. Her lips reveal more than the words coming out of them.

CHARLOTTE RAMPLING in 45 Years

Every one of Rampling's brittle line-readings reveals more and more of the slowly brewing storm resentment and jealousy within her. A masterclass in communicating fortitude and frailty through body language.

SAOIRSE RONAN in Brooklyn

Ronan's transformation from a timid mouse of a girl into a woman taking charge of her own life is lovely to behold. She never descends into melodrama, but lets her eyes tell us how torn her heart is.

JUST missed:
Emily Blunt in Sicario
Meryl Streep in Ricki and the Flash
Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road

Other considerations:
Blythe Danner in I'll See You in My Dreams
Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl