Pro: Novelist and screenwriter Stephen Chbosky's debut feature, an adaptation of his own popular young-adult novel, has been one of the critical sleepers of the fall: while most were expecting a standard-issue teen-angst drama, many have been surprised by the tender, thoughtful film that emerged. There's a lot of affection for “Perks” out there, and if word of mouth picks up in the Academy, voters may notice the assurance and clear personal investment in Chbosky's direction.

Con: Where's the buzz? For all the glowing goodwill, nobody seems willing to talk of the film as an awards possibility – largely because it skews so young, while the Academy, to put it mildly, skews a fair bit older. If Chbosky's name were more of a drawcard, moreover, voters might feel more inclined to check out their screeners.

- Guy Lodge