On the occasion of double Oscar nomination for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and "I'm Not There," we celebrate Cate Blanchett's best roles

By David Fear
Special to MSN Movies

Most movie stars talk about their desire to explore the breadth of their range ("I know I'm a rubber-faced comedian, but what I really want to do is play an autistic lawyer who must defend an innocent orphan before I die of Parkinson's disease.") Then they take on another sure-thing part just like their last one, or, worse, test their limits by venturing outside comfort zones and quickly fall flat on their face.

However, there are some performers -- let's call them, oh, "actors," because they've truly earned the term -- who seem capable of portraying absolutely anyone. Their talent seems boundless; their ability to adapt according to a role appears to be infinite. They are chameleons. The only consistency in their work seems to be a knack for inspiring viewers to think, "I forgot I was watching someone acting."

Nobody currently manages that illusionary trick better than Cate Blanchett, who, in a little more than a decade, has proven to be the most versatile screen actress around. The heir apparent to Meryl Streep, this 38-year-old Australian with a facility for accents has already shown remarkable mutability. Arch British matriarchs? No problem. Flighty American heiresses? Sure, why not. Southern belles? Drug addicts from Down Under? Katharine freakin' Hepburn?!? Done, done and done.

Anyone doubting her knack for switching things up need only slink away from seeing her "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (the sequel to her 1998 breakthrough "Elizabeth") at the local multiplex and then duck into the neighborhood arthouse, where they will catch an almost unrecognizable Blanchett playing Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes's mix-and-match take on the musician, "I'm Not There." (More on that one in a bit.) Two completely different roles, and for her efforts, she has been nominated twice this year: As Best Actress in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and Best Supporting Actress for "I'm Not There" (where she is the favorite to win).

Until Oscar night, we offer up our 10 favorite performances from the audaciously adaptable Aussie, each one different from the next. (R. Stonehouse/Camera Press/Retna Ltd.)