DVD Review: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
Julianne Moore seems to specialize in playing housewives in distress. This film is by no means as good as Far From Heaven or The Hours but Moore stands out in a film that is pretty good but could have been even better if the director's style was a bit more bold.
The film is the feature directorial debut of Jane Anderson who also wrote the screenplay which is based on the memoirs of Terry Ryan. Terry is the daughter of Evelyn Ryan who raised 12 children and supplemented her husband's meager income by winning jingle contests in the 50s and early 60s. Evelyn is very good with words and in another life she would have been a successful writer. But, her vocation in life is taking care of her large brood. Evelyn's husband Kelly is ill tempered and drunk much of the time. Woody Harrelson is decent as Kelly but his performance could have had more depth. You never find out why he is always on edge but I would guess that part of it is that he knows Evelyn is smarter than he is and is also his rival as the breadwinner of the family.
Evelyn is such an optimist that when Kelly goes on one of his rampages she just cheerfully ignores him and goes on with whatever she is doing. I just wanted to shake her up and say "why don't you get out of this mess?" Of course, that is easier said then done. But, when the family is about to lose their house because of Kelly's carelessness with money Evelyn finally lets him know how fed up she is.
One of the best scenes in the film comes after Evelyn wins a contest sponsored by the local supermarket allowing her to put everything she can into her shopping cart within ten minutes. That scene is very lively and shows just a glimpse of what this film could have been if it were directed in a different manner (or by a different director). There were a few scenes with daughter Terry that were also well directed and quite touching. And at the end of the film there is something very special but I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who will see the film.
The DVD contains a commentary track (which I didn't listen to) and some photos of the real Ryan clan. I thought that was a nice touch. Despite its flaws I found myself deeply moved by Ms. Moore's Evelyn. She is simply one of the best actresses working in cinema today. I also found the story very inspirational and I recommend it to anyone who needs a lift.
The film is the feature directorial debut of Jane Anderson who also wrote the screenplay which is based on the memoirs of Terry Ryan. Terry is the daughter of Evelyn Ryan who raised 12 children and supplemented her husband's meager income by winning jingle contests in the 50s and early 60s. Evelyn is very good with words and in another life she would have been a successful writer. But, her vocation in life is taking care of her large brood. Evelyn's husband Kelly is ill tempered and drunk much of the time. Woody Harrelson is decent as Kelly but his performance could have had more depth. You never find out why he is always on edge but I would guess that part of it is that he knows Evelyn is smarter than he is and is also his rival as the breadwinner of the family.
Evelyn is such an optimist that when Kelly goes on one of his rampages she just cheerfully ignores him and goes on with whatever she is doing. I just wanted to shake her up and say "why don't you get out of this mess?" Of course, that is easier said then done. But, when the family is about to lose their house because of Kelly's carelessness with money Evelyn finally lets him know how fed up she is.
One of the best scenes in the film comes after Evelyn wins a contest sponsored by the local supermarket allowing her to put everything she can into her shopping cart within ten minutes. That scene is very lively and shows just a glimpse of what this film could have been if it were directed in a different manner (or by a different director). There were a few scenes with daughter Terry that were also well directed and quite touching. And at the end of the film there is something very special but I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who will see the film.
The DVD contains a commentary track (which I didn't listen to) and some photos of the real Ryan clan. I thought that was a nice touch. Despite its flaws I found myself deeply moved by Ms. Moore's Evelyn. She is simply one of the best actresses working in cinema today. I also found the story very inspirational and I recommend it to anyone who needs a lift.
posted by Film Fanatic | 3:42 PM
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