#the prize winner of defiance ohio

[did-they-mention-disability]

watching the new evasive video about movies with ohio in the title, it looks like there's a side character in an iron lung that has been decorated in the movie the prize winner of defiance ohio although she doesn't actually talk about the character so I can't say anything about her other than she exists. there's also a documentary about autistic kids learning social skills called how to dance in ohio that she says was turned into a broadway musical with multiple autistic characters played by autistic performers which is nice.

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Woody Harrelson as Kelly Ryan in The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio (2005). This is Woody's fifth honorable mention, after White Men Can't Jump, Play it to the Bone, Management, and Mystic River.

[van-bugtopia]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) dir. Jane Anderson

[ofliterarynature]

2022 Wrap Up: Nonfiction

1. Sea People 2. Dark Archives 3. Humankind 4. Devil in the White City 5. Consider the Fork 6. The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio 7. Forget the Alamo 8. How to Keep House While Drowning 9. Gender Queer 10. Real Queer America 11. The Book of Delights 12. Braiding Sweetgrass 13. She Said

I first challenged myself to "read more nonfiction" back in 2021, and it epically failed - so for 2022 I gave myself a concrete goal: one book every two months, or 6 for the year. And it worked! It actually went so well I'd already hit it by July, so I upped it to 10 - and surpassed even that. I'll be honest though, the only reason this is working at all is it's essentially an outgrowth of my podcast listening XD

The titles in bold italicized are my favorites/most enjoyable, and italicized are good and would recommend. I'd really like to sit down with Braiding Sweetgrass again myself, and Dark Archives would be a great read for spooky season (if books bound in human skin isn't too squeamish for you).

Did you have any nonfiction reads in 2022 you'd recommend?

[ekstan]

Stills from movie "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" (2005)

[fall-of-achilles]

2024 Movie Watch: The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio (2005)

*this is not a gif from the movie

*Spoilers Under Cut*

Directed by: Jane Anderson

Starring: Julianne Moore | Woody Harrelson | Laura Dern

IMDB Synopsis: "In order to support her ten children, Evelyn Ryan enters a commercial jingle-writing contest." Source

My Review: 9/10

A very surprisingly great watch. I got the DVD from a co-worker and really was pleasantly surprised with this one.

We see the true colours of being a mother when Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) steps up as the breadwinner of the household after husband Kelly Ryan (Woody Harrelson) takes out a second mortgage on the house to fund his drinking addiction.

We see that this family of 12 having little money is not a new issue for them. The little money and food they do have is all thanks to Evelyn.

This movie is a REAL slice of life movie. No big shabangs in this movie. All realistic and all based on a true story that was turned into a book by one of Evelyn’s real children.

While Kelly was a borderline abusive father and spent his money primarily on alcohol, Evelyn became a working class mother and showed us the sacrifices mother have to make to provide.

In order to provide for her 10 children she uses her writing talent to enter radio, TV and local newspaper contests. She wins some cash, a shopping spree and MANY household appliances.

She meets some friends that live in Indiana that are also mothers also entering these contests. This group of mothers is representative of how strong female bonds can really be and provides an outlet for Evelyn.

One of the mothers in this group gave her what I could only compare to the golden ticket. The coupon to win the Dr. Pepper jingle contest. The prize was cash that would save the family house.

Surprise, surprise, Evelyn wins the contest and can effectively save the family from having to move. All 10 children eventually move out, some states away. Kelly and Evelyn eventually pass away and one of the middle children writes the book this movie is based on.

[wausaupilot]

Marathon County Public Library book clubs: May

Stratford Young Adult Book Club: “The Book Thief” by Marcus Zusa May 9. Set in 1939 Nazi Germany, this beloved novel is about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times. Join in person or virtually. 5:30 p.m. 715-687-4420. [MCPL Stratford] Marathon City Book Club: “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio” by Terry Ryan May 13. A mom in the 1950s enters a variety of contests…

[veryslowreader]

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

[whippedcloudsofcream]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

[clemsfilmdiary]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005, Jane Anderson)

4/03/19

[movieassholes]

“...sit around, writing in your stupid notebooks.” “Those notebooks are the only reason this family isn’t living on the street.”

Kelly Ryan - The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Julianne Moore as Evelyn Ryan, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio (2005). This is Julie's third honorable mention, after The Fugitive and The Hours.

[ofliterarynature]

JULY 2022 WRAP UP

Total Titles Read: 10

Favorites: Princess Florinda and the Forty Flight Tower by Tamsyn Muir, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio by Terry Ryan

Rereads: Witchmark by C.L. Polk, Faerie Wars (series) by Herbie Brennan

Book Club: Witchmark by C.L. Polk

DNF: The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, The Helm of Midnight by Marina J. Lostetter

[kcdahippie]

This movie kills me. The book did too.

[queer-eyes-full-hearts-cant-lose]

THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO, 2005, dir. Jane Anderson

Yes it’s Julianne Moore as a ‘50s housewife yet again, but this really is a gem of an overlooked movie. This film shows the dedication and hard work put in by women often derided as “just” (as in “she’s 'just’ a housewife”). The attention to period detail is wonderful, the editing/storytelling is unique, and the ensemble is fantastic.