AMY ADAMS, "The Fighter"
In her favor: Adams casts off her mantle of daintiness as a brawling, hard-drinking, tramp-stamped barmaid. It's one of those against-type roles that make actors salivate.
Then again: Such a dirty mouth on this girl.
HELENA BONHAM CARTER, "The King's Speech"
In her favor: As the steadfast wife of a king, she plays quite a different sort of royalty from the Red Queen of last summer. There's range for you. I really mean it.
Then again: Other than setting up her husband's appointments and saying "There, there," she doesn't get much to do.
MELISSA LEO, "The Fighter"
In her favor: As a Sam's Club Lady Macbeth who pushes her boxer son into dangerous but lucrative fights, she's outrageous, scary and hilarious.
Then again: With the blond bouffant, skintight jeans, cigarette and can of Bud in a foam sleeve, this performance is overaccessorized.
HAILEE STEINFELD, "True Grit"
In her favor: She plays a young girl who is a starchy schoolmarm in the making, yet vengeful and occasionally romantic. And she handles the tricky dialogue like a champ.
Then again: Youth isn't a handicap in this category. Don't bet against her.
JACKI WEAVER, "Animal Kingdom"
In her favor: As the Machiavellian matriarch of an Australian crime family, she raises goosebumps with a toxic cocktail of ice-cold calculation and false affection.
Then again: In a year when populist films are garnering top nominations, hers is the least visible.
Who got snubbed:
MILA KUNIS, "Black Swan"
Why she deserved it: She's playing a projection of the lead character's delusions, so she gets to be evilly seductive one moment and an encouraging friend the next.
Then again: Doppelgängers leave contradictory, incoherent impressions. Oscar voters generally favor characters that are clear and consistent.