Pro: Small-scale, character-driven, emotionally fine-tuned indies routinely find their way into the writing categories, and Lewin's comes with a strong personal narrative attached: as a polio sufferer from childhood, he brings much empathy and understanding to the remarkable life of Mark O'Brien. Academy voters love a contender with a story, and the Australian writer-director – a breakthrough talent in the eyes of many at the age of 66 – could be a sentimental favorite.

Con: While delicately and humorously written, the film is also a low-key piece of work that may struggle to attract attention beyond assured acting nominations – particularly with distributor Fox Searchlight also pushing a less retiring Sundance sensation, “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” in the same category.

- Guy Lodge