Greetings again from the darkness. It definitely helps to understand before viewing this film that the screenplay and source material were written by Terry "Tuff" Ryan, one of the kids in the family. It is really a tribute to Terry's mother, Evelyn, played remarkably well by Julianne Moore.
Evelyn Ryan was a devoted mother, eternal optimist and pillar of silent strength during the 50's and 60's when men were supposed to be the breadwinners and mothers the perfect homemakers. To "help" support her family and keep intact some portion of her own being, Ms. Ryan excelled at contesting by writing jingles and advertising slogans for products. The timing of her victories appear almost heaven sent. One can't help but notice the Catholic overtures throughout the story, including a clueless priest with "breath like daddy's". We do get a true understanding for the strength of this woman and how she passed it along to her 10 children. Family means everything to her.
Woody Harrelson plays the alcoholic dad and he attempts to capture the pressure of being the provider for a much too large family on a machinists wages. Of course the money doesn't go as far after buying a six pack and a pint after work everyday. Even though the film has many aspects of a play, I never had the feeling that Harrelson wasn't acting. He never became Kelly Ryan. He was always Woody Harrelson with bad hair and glasses and a beer belly prosthesis. His violent outbursts and follow-up pleads for mercy all lacked a sense of feeling and this really prevented the film from taking the next step for me.
Expect Julianne Moore to receive Oscar consideration and I really enjoyed Ellary Porterfield (as teenage Tuff). Watch for SNL's Nora Dunn as one of the Girl jingle singers. The movie is not great, but the subject matter is. I will definitely read the book and have director Jane Anderson to thank for that.
Evelyn Ryan was a devoted mother, eternal optimist and pillar of silent strength during the 50's and 60's when men were supposed to be the breadwinners and mothers the perfect homemakers. To "help" support her family and keep intact some portion of her own being, Ms. Ryan excelled at contesting by writing jingles and advertising slogans for products. The timing of her victories appear almost heaven sent. One can't help but notice the Catholic overtures throughout the story, including a clueless priest with "breath like daddy's". We do get a true understanding for the strength of this woman and how she passed it along to her 10 children. Family means everything to her.
Woody Harrelson plays the alcoholic dad and he attempts to capture the pressure of being the provider for a much too large family on a machinists wages. Of course the money doesn't go as far after buying a six pack and a pint after work everyday. Even though the film has many aspects of a play, I never had the feeling that Harrelson wasn't acting. He never became Kelly Ryan. He was always Woody Harrelson with bad hair and glasses and a beer belly prosthesis. His violent outbursts and follow-up pleads for mercy all lacked a sense of feeling and this really prevented the film from taking the next step for me.
Expect Julianne Moore to receive Oscar consideration and I really enjoyed Ellary Porterfield (as teenage Tuff). Watch for SNL's Nora Dunn as one of the Girl jingle singers. The movie is not great, but the subject matter is. I will definitely read the book and have director Jane Anderson to thank for that.