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Film Series 2006
January 22, 2006 - Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio
Julianne Moore returns to FAR FROM HEAVEN
territory in THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO. Playing 1950s housewife
Evelyn Ryan, who struggles to raise 10 kids while dealing with an
alcoholic husband, Moore brings director Jane Anderson's film to life
with another moving performance to add to her resume. Based on a true
story, Anderson's movie springs from the pages of Terry Ryan's memoir of
the same name. Evelyn's husband, Kelly (Woody Harrelson), has drunk the
family into financial trouble by spending his earnings at the local
factory on a dangerously boozy habit. Struggling with her husband's
drinking and the stress of raising 10 kids, Evelyn tries her luck in
some jingle-writing contests. Writing rhyming couplets for companies
such as Dr. Pepper and Maidenform bras, the beleaguered housewife is
surprisingly successful at the art, and tips the family's finances into
good health. Anderson peppers the action with short direct-to-camera
monologues from Evelyn, which help to explain the idiosyncrasies of the
competitions, while also highlighting her steely determination to pull
her family through the hard times. But Kelly can't accept his wife's
position as the major breadwinner of the family, and his violent,
alcohol-fueled outbursts put an incredible strain on their relationship.
Moore shines throughout the movie, giving a convincing performance as a
strong woman who always puts her family's happiness before her own.
As a
first feature film, THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO is a strong debut
from Jane Anderson, who gained Emmy nominations for her HBO show NORMAL,
which she wrote and directed; Anderson also wrote the screenplay for
this movie, faithfully molding Terry Ryan's words into a film that tugs
heavily at the heart strings.
Genre: Drama
MPAA RATING:
PG-13, for thematic elements, some disturbing images and language.
RUNTIME: 99 minutes
Sunday Afternoons at the Valley Cinemas
20 Albany Street, Little Falls, NY
Curtain Time - 4:00 PM
