The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
by Jane Anderson
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DVD details
Actor: Ellary Porterfield, Julianne Moore, Laura Dern, Trevor Morgan, Woody HarrelsonDirector: Jane Anderson
Brand: Paramount
Cinematographer: Jonathan Freeman
Writer: Jane Anderson
Producer: Jack Rapke
Producer: Marty P. Ewing
Producer: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Steve Starkey
Writer: Terry Ryan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
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: FAMILY VALUES WIN BIG IN 25 WORDS OR LESS
Summary: 4 Stars
Set during the Eisenhower era, Jane Anderson directs Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson in the mostly true story of Evelyn Ryan, who used her creative wits to win contests and keep her family together.
Ryan was the most-winning "contester" in the country during the mid-50s. She created clever jingles and slogans and won everything from cash to cars and was able to keep her financially strapped family afloat. But the stresses in the Ryan home were more than merely paying bills: it was the abuse of her alcoholic husband that created the problem.
The film is told in an unusual way, but it works. Julianne Moore is both the narrator and star. Sometimes she appears in scenes with herself. This seemingly awkward juxtaposition in fact allows for the emotional core of this wonderful story to remain intact.
Ryan "raised 10 kids on 25 words or less."
This engaging film is a reminder that there's almost always a way to cope as long as one can conjure the right creative spirit.
DVD Review: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was difficult to locate in all of the major stores. When I did find it it was very expensive. Wanting to give it as a gift I kept looking. I found it on Amazon and the price was very reasonable. I received it in the mail just a few days after ordering it and it was in perfect condition. The service was great and everyone loved the movie! I would use this service again whenever I need a very happy ending!!!! Thanks to you all!!! Alison DVD Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best movies I have ever seen - too bad it did not get the recognition it deserved. The end brought me to tears!
DVD Review: An Unusually Moving Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I cried through part of this movie and I am not much of a crier, least of all in a theater where someone might see me.
Moore kindled deep empathy and hope in me as I watched her radiantly portray a remarkable woman. Harrelson made me all but hate his character, and I am not a hater. Both leading characters gave outstanding performances.
Other factors converged to render this film a moving experience. It was based on a true life-on-the-edge story, which took place fairly close to where I grew up. Finally, the young children praying in the closet put me over the top.
Although the Christianity in this film was only touched on, to me the handwriting was on the wall: God is a merciful, faithful, and miraculous Provider.
This is one of the most inspirational films I have ever seen. Highly recommended.
DVD Review: EXCELLENT FILM WITH JULIANNE MOORE IN TOP FORM!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is one of those love it or hate it films, it's certainly has a style all it's own. The nostalgic story of a mother of ten with an abusive alcoholic husband is sometimes funny, inspiring and sad. Julianne Moore gives a wonderful performance in the lead role with excellent support from Woody Harrelson. Never one dimensional, this little movie works on so many levels, it deserves a place in everyone's film library. Hopefully the price will drop on this little gem soon!
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 Award? 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 Award? nominee Woody Harrelson, this witty and engaging comedy celebrates the power of a winning spirit.Based on the true story of Evelyn Ryan, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is one of those overlooked gems that deserves a long life on DVD. Splendidly adapted by writer-director Jane Anderson from the memoir by Terry Ryan (one of Evelyn's daughters), the film operates on several endearing levels: as a revealing study of the housewife's plight during the Eisenhower era, an inspiring tale of tenacity and survival against formidable odds, and a charming family drama that tempers sentimental nostalgia with the emotional toll of harsh reality. As always, Julianne Moore brings subtle perfection to her role as Evelyn, the cheerfully strong-willed mother of ten who compensates for the failings of her alcoholic husband (Woody Harrelson) by becoming the most successful "contester" in the country, entering cleverly-worded poems, jingles, and slogans in corporate sponsored contests throughout the mid-1950s and early '60s. Winning everything from palm trees and pogo-sticks to sports cars and cash, she holds the financially desperate family together with happy smiles and a rock-solid defiance of her husband's volatile temper. Directing her first feature after a respected career in television, Anderson employs some delightful visual effects to liven up the period kitsch (in some cases allowing Moore, as narrator and actor, to appear with herself in the same scene), but she never compromises the emotional core of the drama, which yields an unexpectedly powerful payoff when surviving members of the real-life Ryan family appear, as themselves, in the film's touching final scene. Like Evelyn, this movie's a winner. --Jeff Shannon
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