IMDb > The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) More at IMDbPro »

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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) -- In order to support her ten children, Evelyn Ryan (Moore) enters a commercial jingle-writing contest. Based on a true story.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   3,177 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jane Anderson
Writers (WGA):
Terry Ryan (book)
Jane Anderson (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 June 2007 (Spain) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama more
Tagline:
The true story of how a mother raised ten kids on twenty-five words or less.
Plot:
In order to support her ten children, Evelyn Ryan (Moore) enters a commercial jingle-writing contest. Based on a true story. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
The luck of the Irish! more (65 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Julianne Moore ... Evelyn Ryan

Woody Harrelson ... Kelly Ryan

Laura Dern ... Dortha Schaefer
Trevor Morgan ... Bruce Ryan at 16 yrs

Ellary Porterfield ... Tuff Ryan at 13, 16 & 18 yrs
Simon Reynolds ... Ray the Milkman
Monté Gagné ... Lea Anne Ryan at 17 yrs
Robert Clark ... Dick Ryan at 16 yrs

Michael Seater ... Bub Ryan at 15 yrs

Erik Knudsen ... Rog Ryan at 13 yrs
Jake Scott ... Bruce Ryan at 11 yrs

Jordan Todosey ... Tuff Ryan at 9 yrs
Ryan Price ... Mike Ryan at 6 yrs
Shae Norris ... Barb Ryan at 4 yrs
Abigail Falle ... Betsy Ryan at 2 yrs
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 thematic elements, some disturbing images and language.
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41773)
Filming Locations:
Caledonia, Ontario, Canada more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
At the very end of the film, several children are seen fading in and out of the picture, which shows the passing of several years. One of the young boys is Evelyn Ryan's young grandson who happened to be there that day. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In her book upon which this screenplay was based, author Terry Ryan indicates that during the shopping spree Evelyn Ryan was prohibited from taking more than one of any individual item however in the filmed spree the Evelyn character grabs two, three or even more of many items like lollipops, candy, pineapples, etc. more
Quotes:
Evelyn Ryan: [singing] My frisk the Frigidaire, clean the cupboard bare sandwich. more
Movie Connections:
Features "Queen for a Day" (1956) more
Soundtrack:
Bye Bye Blues more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
35 out of 44 people found the following comment useful.
The luck of the Irish!, 21 October 2005
8/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

We were reluctant to see this film, but since it was the only choice at the time, we took a gamble that paid off in unexpected ways. First of all, this is a charming film that will win even skeptics, like myself. Director Jane Anderson's adaptation of Terry Ryan's book is a sunny portrayal of a woman who in spite of the monetary problems she suffered most of her life, was a winning individual because of the love she had for everyone, even for the husband, that on the surface, didn't appreciate her.

The story of Evelyn Ryan, an amazing woman from Ohio, comes to lie on the screen in the way the superb Julianne Moore portrays her. Evelyn was going places before she got married; she showed such promise, but her marriage to Kelly Ryan transforms her into a woman that has to perform wonders in order to keep her ten children, fed, clothed and educated. She did a wonderful job with all of them! Evelyn Ryan's talent for winning all kinds of prizes in those contests during the early age of television provides the family with a lot of material things and cash to keep them afloat. While Kelly is spending the money in liquor, Evelyn has to plead with the milkman to extend her credit. Having a strong will and a positive attitude toward life, Evelyn seems to typify that adage, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

Julianne Moore, one of our best actress is perfect as Evelyn Ryan. The film is the surprise it is because of the charisma Ms. Moore, under the direction of Ms. Anderson, gives to the film. Woody Harrelson, as Kelly, is fine as well in conveying the man who seems to have let life defeat him and will not do anything about it. Laura Dern is only seen in a a few scenes, but as always, she is a welcome presence in anything she plays. Ellary Porterfield plays Tuff as different stages of the girl's life.

This is a life affirming film and a tribute to Evelyn Ryan, a woman that in spite of the hard times always found solace in the great family she brought to the world.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Nora Dunn JayBoBo
Anti-male propaganda seventh_son_of_a_seventh_son
Other things written by Terry Ryan lospitch
Why could the mother not drive...I came in a little late to the movie Gordon_Gartrelle
What If ???-different casting grills
evelyn's supermarket sweep miriamwebster
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