Toni Collette   Angelia Jolie   Catherine Keener   Samantha Morton   Chloe Sevigny

Best supporting actress

The nominees: Toni Collette, "The Sixth Sense"; Angelina Jolie, "Girl Interrupted"; Catherine Keener, "Being John Malkovich"; Samantha Morton, "Sweet and Lowdown"; Chloe Sevigny, "Boys Don't Cry."

Jolie seems primed to walk away with it, for reasons that can mostly be traced to her wholesale hubba-hubba-ness. Two-thirds of the people in the industry (men and women alike) have the hots for her, and that translates into votes.

Unfortunately, her "Girl Interrupted" performance suggests an over-caffeinated cheerleader instead of a troubled young mental patient. Sevigny, who seems bored out of her mind in most movies, is close to remarkable in "Boys Don't Cry." I wouldn't complain if she swiped it.

Keener, however, gave the most unique performance. Her terminally jovial character in "Being John Malkovich" is a complete mystery. You can't tell from one minute to the next whether she's about to kiss John Cusack or club him over the head. Collette and Morton were both good, but, sad to say, they won't be winning anything.

My vote: Catherine Keener, the first actress in Academy Award history to be nominated for a performance that takes place partially within the consciousness of her co-star. » Next category