Michael Haneke's universally acclaimed French-language drama would probably have benefited more than most from a longer period of nomination voting. Not only did it open at the tail end of December, meaning many Academy members might not have seen it yet, but its most recent precursor coup – Best Picture from the National Society of Film Critics – came after ballots were in. Usually, when a film takes two of the Big Three US critics' awards (it also won LAFCA), that's a good sign, and this emotionally rich film certainly has a passionate support base – but has word had time to spread? 

- Guy Lodge