[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2005 and the nominees are: 1. Sophie Okonedo - Hotel Rwanda 2. Natalie Portman - Closer 3. Laura Linney - Kinsey 4. Cate Blanchett - The Aviator 5. Virginia Madsen - Sideways - In 2005 Cate Blanchett won her first Oscar for best actress in a supporting role portraying Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator. This race really came down to her and Natalie Portman for Closer. Portman won the Golden Globe and was likely her (Blanchett) biggest competition. A very diverse group of nominees in terms of roles. It’s difficult comparing Virginia Madsen in Sideways to Sophie Okonedo in Hotel Rwanda trying to discuss who was the better actress. How can you compare apples to oranges? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bobby Knauff as they discuss.