Star to Watch

By R. Kurt Osenlund, film critic and correspondent

ANNE HATHAWAY

Leaving the days of "The Princess Diaries" and "Ella Enchanted" behind her, 26-year-old Anne Hathaway has emerged as a formidable Hollywood heavyweight. In 2006, she matched wits with Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada," giving her the boost she needed to become a household name.

This year, Hathaway starred opposite Steve Carrell in the lukewarm adaptation of the TV comedy, "Get Smart," and proved she could hold her own in a minefield of Hollywood blockbusters. She also endured some very public personal hardships, splitting from four-year beau Raffaello Follieri in the midst of his numerous financial scandals.

She bounces back this season with an almost universally praised performance as a recovering addict fresh out of rehab in Jonathan Demme's "Rachel Getting Married." Calling the role "the most artistic experience of (her) life," Hathaway is expected to hear Oscar calling at year's end. If so, she'll likely be head-to-head with Streep yet again, this time in the Best Actress Academy Award race. (Streep should be vying for Oscar nom #15 for her role in the controversial drama, "Doubt.")