The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Critics Consensus

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.

58%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 85

74%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 18,540
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Movie Info

The true story of one woman's effort to keep her family afloat under difficult circumstances comes to the screen in this bittersweet comedy drama. Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) was a woman of intelligence, talent, and pluck living in the small town of Defiance, OH, in the 1950s. Evelyn was married to Kelly Ryan (Woody Harrelson), a man who gave her ten children but not much else; Kelly had a severe drinking problem, struggled to hold on to a job, and tended to spend his money as soon as he earned it. It was seemingly up to Evelyn to support the family, but with ten kids to look after, taking a job outside the home hardly seemed practical. But the resourceful Evelyn discovered a way to bring some extra money into the household -- at a time when a number of companies held contests to find new advertising jingles for their products, Evelyn had a genius for coming up with slogans and winning contests, and for the better part of a decade Evelyn kept food on the table and a roof over her head by dreaming up jingles, tag lines, and ad headlines and winning contests with her handiwork, often selling the merchandise she won to pay the bills. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio was based on the best-selling memoir by Terry Ryan, who was the sixth of Evelyn Ryan's ten kids.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for thematic elements, some disturbing images and language)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Jane Anderson
  • Written By:
    Jane Anderson
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $440,994
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Dreamworks Distribution LLC

Cast

Julianne Moore
as Evelyn Ryan
Woody Harrelson
as Kelly Ryan
Laura Dern
as Dortha Schaefer
Ellary Porterfield
as Tuff Ryan (age 13-18)
Trevor Morgan
as Bruce Ryan (age 16)
Simon Reynolds
as Ray the Milkman
Monte Gage
as Lea Anne Ryan (age 17)
Robert Clark
as Dick Ryan (age 16)
Michael Seater
as Bub Ryan (age 15)
Erik Knudsen
as Rog Ryan (age 13)
Jake Scott
as Bruce Ryan (age 11)
Jordan Todosey
as Tuff Ryan (age 9)
Ryan M. Price
as Mike Ryan (age 6)
Shae Norris
as Barb Ryan (age 4)
Abigail Falle
as Betsy Ryan (age 2)
Luca Barbaro
as Baby Dave
Brando Barbaro
as Baby Dave
Jack Murray
as Rog Ryan (age 17)
Evan Rose
as Mike Ryan (age 10)
Jessica Pollock
as Barb Ryan (age 8)
Emily Persich
as Betsy Ryan (age 6)
Maxwell Uretsky
as Dave Ryan (age 4)
Brendan Price
as Mike Ryan (age 13)
Melanie Tonello
as Barb Ryan (age 11)
Julia Megan Thompson
as Betsy Ryan (age 9)
Connor Sharp
as Dave Ryan (age 7)
Tuff Ryan
as Herself (as an Adult)
Betsy Ryan
as Herself (as an Adult)
David Gardner
as Father McCague
Martin Doyle
as Cutter Murphy
Susan Merson
as Mrs. Bidlack
Catherine Fitch
as Emma Hartzler
Carolyn Scott
as Gladys Tierney
Lindsay Leese
as Betty Yearling
Tracey Hoyt
as Betty White
Kathryn Haggis
as Checkout Lady Marge
Noni White
as Checkout Lady Pauline
Gerry Quigley
as Vernon the Mailman
Brad Borbridge
as Deliveryman
Dan Willmott
as Deliveryman
Tim Dorsch
as Deliveryman
Dan Lett
as Detective Feeney
Lee Smart
as Band Show Host
Frank Chiesurin
as Rock 'n Roll Singer
Nora Dunn
as Girl Group Member
Erin Gooderham
as Girl Group Member
Juliann Kuchocki
as Girl Group Member
Jim York
as Seabrook Executive
Timm Zemanek
as Harvey the Mechanic
Paul Brogren
as Joe the Mechanic
Eric Fink
as Bike Contest Man No. 1
Derek Keurvorst
as Bike Contest Man No. 2
Scott Wickware
as Neighbor Man
Conrad Bergschneider
as Officer Dobbs
Bruce McFee
as Officer Finney
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Critic Reviews for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

All Critics (85) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (36)

View All Critic Reviews (85)

Audience Reviews for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

  • May 01, 2013
    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.
    Spencer S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 14, 2011
    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 <i>The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio</i> - it's an interesting story that has flashes of brillance - but Moore's performance and some structural problems make it ultimately a disappointment.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Jul 10, 2011
    What an adorable family story! Well told, beautiful costumes and sets, and incredible acting. This was a true gem among the crappy movies made these days. A refreshing change. Very enjoyable. Go back to family values and learn some lessons while being entertained. :-)
    Dannielle A Super Reviewer
  • Jul 01, 2011
    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
    erika b Super Reviewer
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