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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Play trailer Poster for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio PG-13 2005 1h 39m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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59% Tomatometer 83 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) suffers in her marriage to Kelly (Woody Harrelson), a slovenly alcoholic whose only consistent quality is his utter lack of respect for her. As Evelyn struggles to make ends meet and care for their 10 children, she begins to turn to contests as a source of entertainment and much-needed income. To the amazement of her friends and family, Evelyn's quick wit leads her to pen prizewinning amateur jingles and one-liners for products all across the spectrum.

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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

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Critics Consensus

Noteworthy for Julianne Moore's performance, Prize Winner is nonetheless a largely indistinct and tentative film that fails to convey the true power of its bittersweet tale.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 06/28/2022
This screen adaptation never quite jells, veering from family drama to stale 50s consumer kitsch. Go to Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 04/12/2006
B+
[Offers] an almost subversively idealistic subtext to a now-familiar ritual exposé of the American dream. Go to Full Review Bob Longino Atlanta Journal-Constitution 11/10/2005
C+
It makes for a nice Mother's Day card. But not enough for a complete movie. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) 08/25/2020
It's a charming book and the movie is also good led by Julianne Moore's good performance Go to Full Review Tara Thorne The Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) 07/11/2016
If you don't already know that Julianne Moore is one of our greatest living actors, this underseen film will prove it to you, as she takes a potential simp... and makes her dignified and inspiring. Go to Full Review Prairie Miller WBAI Web Radio 02/10/2007
Defiance, Where? Female Compliance Behind and Before The Camera Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rehan T @RT81460504 05/19/2025 Great movie based on a real story... See more Cat B @PieGirly 05/06/2025 While this may not be the most technically perfect movie, it's empowering and enjoyable, and left my family feeling inspired and happy. It may not quite do the book justice, but it's a family-friendly feel-good movie to watch on a Saturday night. See more tom m @RT96790832 12/02/2022 A charming story told well. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown 04/17/2021 It's the 50's - when you didn't leave your drunk husband and you had more than 2 kids (10 to be exact). True retelling of a determined woman that entered contests to keep her family afloat and the bills paid. Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson are perfectly cast - and the rest fits the bill. See more 03/02/2021 Such an underrated film! A lovely tale of a brilliant wife and mother who keeps her family afloat despite all of the curveball her alcoholic husband throws. One of my favorites! See more 12/28/2020 Just....no. If you consider yourself one for liberalism, this movie would be torture to watch. The film or the book that the film is based on has so much potential to be a piece that reflects and criticizes the horrible condition of women in the 50s, but they did not do that. A book is enough. A film is not necessary, but it is not completely meaningless. It could serve as a great lens for modern viewers to look back on what was going on in the 50s and spark some interesting conversation regarding feminism and society if. Very disappointingly, that is not how most people took it as per see in the movie's review. If this movie could not serve that purpose, please let it get lost in history and just be a nostalgic piece for elders. My take away from this movie: humor helps; savings, talent, and birth controls are important; 50s sucks; people should be able to get access to therapy; if you got married to a partner like that husband--get a lawyer. See more Read all reviews
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

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Cast & Crew

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Jane Anderson

Director

Julianne Moore

Evelyn Ryan

Woody Harrelson

Leo "Kelly" Ryan

Laura Dern

Dortha Schaefer

Trevor Morgan

Bruce

Ellary Porterfield

Tuff Ryan at 13, 16 & 18 yrs

Movie Clips

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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

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The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

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Movie Info

Synopsis Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) suffers in her marriage to Kelly (Woody Harrelson), a slovenly alcoholic whose only consistent quality is his utter lack of respect for her. As Evelyn struggles to make ends meet and care for their 10 children, she begins to turn to contests as a source of entertainment and much-needed income. To the amazement of her friends and family, Evelyn's quick wit leads her to pen prizewinning amateur jingles and one-liners for products all across the spectrum.
Director
Jane Anderson
Producer
Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis
Screenwriter
Terry Ryan, Jane Anderson
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG
Production Co
Revolution Erie Productions Ltd.
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Disturbing Images|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 30, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$626.3K
Runtime
1h 39m
Sound Mix
Surround