“The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio” Movie Review

October 17, 2015

(Jingles Support Big Family)

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Evelyn and Kelly Ryan (Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson) are raising 10 kids.

Kelly is working a menial job since losing his singing voice many years ago in a car crash (Drive Safe!). He also has a drinking problem. Sober, he is fine, but when he is drunk he has a nasty temper. Problem is….he drinks a lot. On top of that, he is not careful with his money and the family is always struggling.

Luckily, Evelyn has an amazing talent for winning contests that require a short jingle. With her winnings, she keeps the family afloat at just the right times.

According to Kelly, Evelyn is too happy. According to Evelyn, Kelly needs to leave her alone and let her be happy. He is jealous but for the most part, he leaves her alone.

“The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio” is different. The narrator is Evelyn who is in the scene as she narrates. Interesting. The movie, a true story, is based on a memoir by family member, Terry Ryan. Woody Harrelson is scary good as both the drunk (scary) and sober (good) husband. Julianne Moore is an Oscar winner….’nuff said.

Go to IMDb for more information. We watched this on Netflix. Thank you, Ryan!