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Noteworthy for Julianne Moore's performance, Prize Winner is nonetheless a largely indistinct and tentative film that fails to convey the true power of its bittersweet tale.
All Critics (85) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (36) | DVD (5)
It makes for a nice Mother's Day card. But not enough for a complete movie. Nov 10, 2005 | Rating: C+
It makes for a nice Mother's Day card. But not enough for a complete movie.
Bob Longino
Rarely do you have a movie in which both lead actors give Oscar-worthy performances, but Defiance, Ohio is one. Oct 20, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Rarely do you have a movie in which both lead actors give Oscar-worthy performances, but Defiance, Ohio is one.
Bill Muller
For once, a true story gets no romanticizing or needless embellishment to become a captivating movie. Oct 14, 2005 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
For once, a true story gets no romanticizing or needless embellishment to become a captivating movie.
Susan Walker
An uneven but loving tribute to a remarkable woman -- who would, undoubtedly, have wished to rewrite it herself. Oct 14, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
An uneven but loving tribute to a remarkable woman -- who would, undoubtedly, have wished to rewrite it herself.
Moira MacDonald
What distinguishes Anderson's work is her obvious empathy with all of her characters, including Kelly Ryan, whom she does not demonize. Oct 14, 2005 | Rating: 3/4
What distinguishes Anderson's work is her obvious empathy with all of her characters, including Kelly Ryan, whom she does not demonize.
Carrie Rickey
Anderson can't do much with the inherent limitations of the hagiopic, which demands a repetitive litany of sacrifice and sanctity, with each hill and every valley designed to further enhance the landscape of inspiration. Oct 14, 2005 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Anderson can't do much with the inherent limitations of the hagiopic, which demands a repetitive litany of sacrifice and sanctity, with each hill and every valley designed to further enhance the landscape of inspiration.
Rick Groen
If you don't already know that Julianne Moore is one of our greatest living actors, this underseen film will prove it to you, as she takes a potential simp... and makes her dignified and inspiring. Jul 11, 2016 | Full Review…
If you don't already know that Julianne Moore is one of our greatest living actors, this underseen film will prove it to you, as she takes a potential simp... and makes her dignified and inspiring.
Tara Thorne
Defiance, Where? Female Compliance Behind and Before The Camera Feb 10, 2007 | Full Review…
Defiance, Where? Female Compliance Behind and Before The Camera
Prairie Miller
The script just dulls out. Jan 29, 2007 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
The script just dulls out.
Dennis Schwartz
This Prize Winner is a winner for its smart portrayal of a resourceful woman who loved her family, loved words, and loved life. Sep 27, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
This Prize Winner is a winner for its smart portrayal of a resourceful woman who loved her family, loved words, and loved life.
Lisa Ann Cockrel
Far worse films with far lesser credentials have been given much fairer shots. Jun 21, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Far worse films with far lesser credentials have been given much fairer shots.
Ken Hanke
[Offers] an almost subversively idealistic subtext to a now-familiar ritual exposé of the American dream. Apr 12, 2006 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
[Offers] an almost subversively idealistic subtext to a now-familiar ritual exposé of the American dream.
Steven D. Greydanus
A rather forgotten film at the box office, and in the annals of history, this adaptation from the book of the same name features some heart tugging moments but overall comes off as tripe. At the box office this film didn't make back all that much from its original budget and it's easy to figure out why when it comes to the story. This film looks at a mother who had to help her home of ten children with her own brilliant mind. The prize winner in the title is alluding to the fact that main character Evelyn Ryan (Moore) spent the bulk of her life winning contests put out by companies in the fifties in order to keep her family from collapsing into ruin thanks to her husband's alcoholic tendencies. The film is intriguing not only for the character's quick mind at thinking up jingles, limericks, and general rhymes for contests, but also for educating the current generation about the ad campaigns of companies in the fifties and the role of the housewife at the time of baby boomers. The reason this doesn't evolve into an Oscar worthy film or even a memorable one, is simply because the film lacks any true drama. Yes, her husband is a blight to the family by drinking away his paycheck and leaving his wife to support them on pure luck, but that doesn't always pay off plot wise. Harrelson is great in the role, but most of the time he comes off as jealous more than anything, and at his patient and intelligent wife at that, who has little control over her own life let alone her immense family. His petty betrayals only make him a victim along with the rest of them, and without any adversity or true villain to the story it becomes one of survival. Again, that would be fine, if there wasn't a climactic ending that the entire film hangs its hat on, and it's obvious what's going to happen, in as formulaic and clichéd an ending as ever. This film is interesting and does feature some great information, but does not correctly build to its conclusion, and doesn't resonate for a reason.
Super Reviewer
A housewife keeps her family from sinking into bankruptcy by winning ad-writing contests. The main plot line of this film, a productive and almost optimistic response to fifties patriarchal oppression, becomes obvious early on. But Evelyn Ryan's bright-eyed responses to her husband's insecure harangues make it hard to sympathize with her. How long can we scream, "Leave the bastard" at the screen until we give up on her plight? But just when it gets to be oppressive, she says, "Your job is not to make me happy, but to stay away from me when I am." Could there be a more heart-breaking thing for a wife to say to her husband? Julianne Moore's performance was, of course, awful, and she shares the blame with the script for making Evelyn a tiring character. Woody Harrelson doesn't rise to the level of being a malevolent force, but his character has nuances, moments of compassion mixed with his fits of outrage. Overall, I thought there was some things to like about The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - it's an interesting story that has flashes of brillance - but Moore's performance and some structural problems make it ultimately a disappointment.
The prize Winner of defiance, Ohio Is about Dysfunctional family trying to make ends meet. The father is abusive and has a drink problem that laeve the family with out money. The mother enters contests to money to make end meet. Will the family be able to staying one place or will the have to move? Pros Good acting and plot. Can be funny at times. Cons Could be slow at times. i
This is a very interesting, off-beat dramedy with 2 Academy Award worthy performances. Julianne Moore gives one of her best performances(she has a lot of good ones to choose from) as a mother who wins a ton of contests in the 1950's to help support her family of ten kids. She really lights the screen with her positive outlook and radiant smile. Woody Harrelson plays her alcoholic husband who has a hard time coping with life. He plays the character perfectly, as you hate the way he treats her, but you feel sorry for him. This movie reminded me of another little gem of a flick called "Waitress." They're very different, but the tone and the way the story is told is pretty similar. Geared more towards women, but there's enough here for guys to like as well. Emily stayed awake the whole time and really enjoyed it. If she stays awake through an entire movie in the evening, then it's a winner! :-p
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