Cate Blanchett vs. Kristin Scott Thomas
Battle of the Patrician Beauties in Doomed On-Screen Relationships

Sadly, just when Kristin Scott Thomas had semingly ensconced herself as a younger, better-looking version of Emma Thompson, along comes Cate Blanchett, the younger, better-looking version of Kristin Scott Thomas. Americans crave one beautiful English actress to bring an air of regality to the Oscars every year, but two is just downright confusing. It's like those darn Redgrave sisters -- who can tell which is which? Or course, Blanchett is Australian, but, trust us, no one knows the difference. She talks funny. She's beautiful. Ergo, her ascendancy spells lights out for Thompson, Thomas, and, we're guessing, Minnie Driver.

Advantage: Cate Blanchett.