Admittedly, in a category with just nine remaining contenders, pretty much everything can be said to be “on the bubble,” but Switzerland's critically acclaimed submission (which happens to be one of my 2012 Top 10) is one I'm struggling to get a read on Oscar-wise. The Academy traditionally likes child-led stories, and this one's accessible and affecting – but in a lower, cooler key than some of its competitors. It seems equally likely that it could have been voted in by the branch as a whole, or “saved” by the executive committee.

- Guy Lodge