The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
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Actor: Ellary Porterfield, Julianne Moore, Laura Dern, Trevor Morgan, Woody HarrelsonBrand: PARAMOUNT PICTURES
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-03-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Dreamworks Video
DVD Reviews of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
DVD Review: And the Winner is......Evelyn Ryan!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Corporate contests that involved creating advertising jingles were all the rage during the 1950's and early 1960's and they were part of the promotional campaigns of many companies, both large and small. The way they worked was simple: Contestants from all over the country were asked to submit an advertising jingle- typically in 25 words or less- that summed up the product in a clever and catchy way. Sometimes, the company would start the slogan and then ask consumers to complete the jingle. Other times, the entry would be completely original, with the consumer composing the entire jingle.
"Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio" is a movie based on a book by the same name. The book, written by Terry Ryan, is based on a true story about Evelyn Ryan and her amazing skill when it came to writing these advertising jingles. The family was constantly in dire financial straits, mainly because of the father's problem drinking, but also because the family was so big. And since Kelly Ryan was constantly broke, Evelyn felt a responsibility to her family to make ends meet. She had a gift for creative writing and she decided to use that gift to compose entries in these contests. She racked up many, many wins and on more than one occasion she saved her family from bankruptcy.
This movie captures the heart warming spirit of the book very well and for those who have read the book (I am one of them), you will be pleased to know that what the movie depicts is almost dead- on with the book it is based on. You get to watch this conventional, optimistic housewife as she works her tail to the bone, taking care of her family and writing contest entries. You get to witness the volatile personality of Kelly Ryan and watch him blow up and get raving mad at one moment, only to act completely calm and loving at another. And you get to see how the kid's handle all of this chaos caused by their father along with the joy and happiness that followed one of mom's victories.
Many things about this movie make it enjoyable, and the greatest among them is the joyful feeling when Evelyn Ryan gets another phone call or a visit from the postman notifying her that she has, once again, submitted the winning entry to a contest. Just when things seem down and life looks dismal, Evelyn comes through with a winning entry in the nick of time. Another thing that is interesting (and also a little unreal) is Evelyn's perpetual optimism. She has this huge family, her husband is an alcoholic, and there is barely money to put food on the table. But no matter how violent her husband gets or no matter how bleak the situation seems, she is still optimistic that life will get better. And life does get better in the end, with all ten of her kids enjoying different degrees of success. In fact, the film ends by talking about the real- life Ryans and what each of them has done in their adult lives. Evelyn Ryan deserves almost all the credit for making this happen, and the movie portrays her bright, happy demeanor in a convincing way, showing how her warm, loving personality led to the successes of her ten children.
Julianne Moore has the character of Evelyn Ryan nailed down (at least from what I know about Evelyn Ryan, based on reading the book) and her joyous, nurturing, forgiving demeanor is compelling. It isn't something you find in very many people and it is amazing that she was able to keep her family together- and keep her own sanity- under these circumstances. Woody Harrelson plays Kelly Ryan and he also nails the part, showing the almost split personality of a man who seemed depressed one minute (his drinking brought his depressed side to the surface) and then happy and loving toward his family the next. He is also responsible for some of the film's more suspenseful moments. When he throws his fits, you're never quite sure what he might do. With the kids, only Allary Porterfield- the actress who plays Terry Ryan as a teenager- gets any real time in the spotlight. The other kids are there, but little is mentioned about them.
One of the criticisms that have been leveled toward this movie is the thinness of the script. This is valid, to an extent, because there is very little analysis of the different family members. For example, we all know that Kelly Ryan had a drinking problem and we learn early in the movie that he was an aspiring singer who lost his dream when his vocal chords were damaged in a car accident. The viewer can witness his fits of rage but not much is stated about why he acted this way. One can only make a few guesses. It is obvious that he was depressed and that he became angry when drunk. It is also pointed out that he was a little resentful of his wife's contest success because the men at his workplace were constantly teasing him about it, making him feel inadequate as a provider. But the underlying reasons for his insecurities are never explored. He was likely very disappointed over the damage to his vocal chords- an event that probably changed his life forever. But he was also very upbeat on other occasions, leading me to wonder if maybe he was manic depressive. The same lack of cross- examination is true with all the other characters. We know that Evelyn Ryan was an upbeat, motherly type of gal but we don't get to learn much else about her. And daughter Terry Ryan is the only child who gets much coverage among the ten siblings.
One other thing about this film that turned me off at first is the scenes at the beginning that show Julianne Moore talking directly to the camera. Having narration is ok, but in this instance director Jane Anderson decided to have Moore talk directly to the camera, like an announcer for a sporting event. I was able to tolerate this after a while and, fortunately, it doesn't continue for very long. But this is a pet peeve of mine with films. Unless I'm watching a documentary, I don't like to see characters talk to the camera; like they know a film is being made. It takes away from the fictionalization of the movie. I realize this is based on a true story, but I still don't like this type of directing unless I'm watching a non- fiction documentary.
"The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio" isn't the perfect film, even if it does have a happy ending. A little more depth and more investigation into the "how" and "why" of the characters would have made it more complete. But like the book, this movie is heartwarming and fascinating. It shows how the determination of one woman to make a better life for her family succeeded to the extreme, with contest wins that surpassed all odds and saved her family from financial devastation.
Description of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
Anything is possible with a little laughter and a lot of heart in this incredible true story of an extraordinary woman who raised 10 kids on 25 words or less. Academy AwardŽ nominee Julianne Moore stars as Evelyn Ryan, a devoted housewife and mother, who uses her knack for words to win thousands of dollars in jingle contests to keep her family together. Also starring Academy AwardŽ nominee Woody Harrelson, this witty and engaging comedy celebrates the power of a winning spirit.Bestsellers in DVD
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