Pro: Supportive wife stuff is generally prime territory for supporting actress contenders, but Mirren's role as Alfred Hitchcock's wife, Alma, in Sacha Gervasi's film will present the secret to his success, the right hand collaborator of one of the most beloved filmmakers of all time. As a writer, editor and, often, co-director of many of Hitchcock's classics (including the production depicted in "Hitchcock," 1960's "Psycho"), Alma was way more than just in the shadows, "supporting."

Con: Nevertheless, with a big lead actor performance like the one from Anthony Hopkins here, there is always danger of being overlooked. The tone of the film could also prove too slight for some voters who'd
rather see a profound Drama with a capital "D" when it comes to material like this.

- Kristopher Tapley

[Left, Mirren and Hopkins in a scene from "Hitchcock.]