Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005), a Movie Review

Starring Julianne Moore as Evelyn Ryan, Woody Harrelson as her husband Kelly Ryan, Laura Dern as friend Dortha Schaefer, Trevor Morgan as son Bruce Ryan and Ellary Porterfield as daughter "Tuff" Ryan. Rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, this movie is produced by Marty Ewing, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey and fabulously directed by Jane Anderson.

Based on a true account of one family's struggles in the 50's, "Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio" is a heartwarming story of how a mother of twelve meets adversity in her life with both dogged determination and humor. Although the majority of women still stayed home to raise their families during that era, women were classified as being lesser to their male counterparts. It was very much a man's world, even if the woman was pulling more of the load in a family, so aptly depicted in this movie. While getting little help from her husband, who had a problem with drinking and making losing bets on ball games, Evelyn Ryan puts her own talents to use by entering every contest that is available to the television viewing audience, as well as within her own community.

Back in the 1950's, when television was the newest and latest fad, many companies would put out contests in order to lure the viewers. If you could think of jingles or slogans for a product, you had the chance of winning some great prizes (it's a shame we don't still have these kinds of contests today). Evelyn Ryan had just such talent. She would even use the names of her children in order to submit more entries, thus having a better chance at winning. She won cars, trips, household items (which she would mostly sell in order to help pay the bills), and even money. Some much needed winnings she would keep for her family's use, such as a deep freeze and brand new washer and dryer. Every time a new winning was delivered to the house, it was cause for much excitement and fanfare by the children but a grim reminder to the husband for his ineptness in providing for his own family.

Ellary Porterfield portrays the feisty daughter "Tuff", and probably only child of the 12 who actually sees something wrong in the way their father treats the family, and speaks her mind. She speaks up on several occasions, usually to her mother's defense, but also in a questioning way as to why her mother doesn't stand up to the way things are. She is a young woman well ahead of her time. With much respect, she comes to realize that her mother handles things in her own way. which had it's own strengths and a positive outcome.

Although this movie is rated PG-13, mostly due to the drunken tirades of the father, played brilliantly by Woody Harrelson, this is an excellent movie for family viewing. It is a wonderful reminder of how close families can and should be, even through the adversities in life. It's a look back into life in the late 50's and early 60's, offering a lot of nostalgic moments for the older viewer. The settings are meticulously designed taking you right back to what might have been thought to be simpler times.

Keep your eye out for Ellary Porterfield. She steals the show with her superb acting abilities. Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio is a definite 5 star rating, well worthy of your movie viewing time.