The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

Director:

Jane Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Terry Ryan (book)
Jane Anderson (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 June 2007 (Spain)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

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.

Plot Keywords:

Contest | Food | Defiance Ohio | Prize | Jingle

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

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

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

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41773)

Filming Locations:

Caledonia, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Revolution Erie Productions Ltd.

Trivia:

The contest ads seen under the opening credits were taken from Evelyn Ryan's drawer. They were given to the filmmakers by her daughter Betty.

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.

Quotes:

Detective Feeney: If you were stranded on an island and could take only one beverage with you, which beverage would you take?
Evelyn Ryan: Orange juice.
Detective Feeney: Orange juice?
Evelyn Ryan: Yes, orange juice... to prevent scurvy.
[pauses]
Evelyn Ryan: But my beverage of choice is Dr. Pepper.
Detective Feeney: [laughs]

Movie Connections:

Features "Queen for a Day" (1956)

Soundtrack:

Bye Bye Blues

It IS a Prize Winner!

This is one of those films lost in the "tracking" gutter of film marketing. In other words, it was not registering with the public so it got a very small release, and a very small audience. This is a shame because it is a "thinking person's Cheaper by the Dozen". It is a very fine movie that leaves you teared up at the end without a contrived plot. It is a true story with real people and they have real faults-yet they bring out the great and wonderful joys of life found by a woman in what most would consider a terrible circumstance.

If you see one film on sheer recommendation this year, this is the film to see. I own a movie theatre in Kansas City and I am playing the film. We had 7 for the matinée that I sat in on one Saturday afternoon-I emailed my customers on Monday and implored them to see this wonderful film. The next Saturday I had 116 for the matinée! It goes on and on and I hope that it will be one of those undiscovered gems for many people this year.