While last year’s Academy Awards progressed with relative predictability, this year pundits are split and the four big categories are too close to call

The red carpet is being vacuumed, the manicurists are working overtime and, across Hollywood, an unprecedented number of acceptance speeches are getting a polish.

The four big categories at this year’s Oscars – best picture, director, actor and actress – are being deemed too close to call as the remarkable drama of this year’s award season reaches a peak.