Given the recent Woody Allen scandal - which actually got buried under the weight of the Philip Seymour Hoffman news this month - some commentators have speculated on the race for best actress at the Oscars, suggesting that Cate Blanchett's predicted streamrolling of her fellow nominee isn't so cut and dry.

Cate Blanchett Blue JasmineCate Blanchett [L] in Woody Allen's 'Blue Jasmine'

In a 1,000 word open letter to Woody Allen in the New York Times, his adopted daughter Mia Farrow accused the acclaimed filmmaker of molesting her as a child. Allen has been investigated in the past though was never prosecuted and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Though it's clearly a serious accusation, and will no doubt be dealt with correctly, the movie geeks amongst us began speculating that the timing and focus of the letter would damage the chances of the director's latest movie Blue Jasmine at the Oscars. Allen certainly has a shot at the screenwriting gong though Cate Blanchett's barnstorming performance as a privileged new Yorker who falls on hard times is the movie's best chance of success.

In her open letter, Farrow referenced the Australian actress - and other muses including Diane Keaton. 

"What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? Louis CK? Alec Baldwin? What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me? Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse," read the letter. 

Woody AllenWoody Allen Working On 'Blue Jasmine'

Scott Feinberg at the Hollywood Reporter suggests that some Academy members may well think twice before supporting Allen and his movie associates in their ballots. Having already won best actress at the Critics' Choice, Golden Globe and SAG awards, as well as at the New York Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics awards - Blanchett remains the favorite for the Oscar. Though Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep delivered assured performances in 2013, Blanchett's turn as a neurotic, perhaps psychotic woman struggling to rebuild her life was the most impressive of her illustrious career and she deserves the Academy Award.