Is "Rust and Bone" Capable of Competing with American Films?

Left to right: Matthias Schoenaerts and Marion Cotillard

Anyone who has been following The Oscar Buzz will be aware that I have referenced director Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone multiple times. This is notably in contrast to Marion Cotillard in the Best Actress category. While the film is in limited release and impossible for most people to see, it is still getting some impressive traction, including participating in the annual event of sending Academy voters DVD screeners. While it has widely been regarded as one of the year's best, it is ineligible for Best Foreign Film (France submitted the more acclaimed The Intouchables instead), it is still looking to reap some nominations at the Oscars. Is the film capable of competing against the more popular American films, or will it be lost in translation?