The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      PG-13 Released Sep 30, 2005 1h 39m Drama List
      60% Tomatometer 84 Reviews 74% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      Fandango at Home Prime Video

      Rent The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      What to Know

      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.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Critics Reviews

      View All (84) Critics Reviews
      J. R. Jones Chicago Reader This screen adaptation never quite jells, veering from family drama to stale 50s consumer kitsch. Jun 28, 2022 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films [Offers] an almost subversively idealistic subtext to a now-familiar ritual exposé of the American dream. Rated: B+ Apr 12, 2006 Full Review Bob Longino Atlanta Journal-Constitution It makes for a nice Mother's Day card. But not enough for a complete movie. Rated: C+ Nov 10, 2005 Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) It's a charming book and the movie is also good led by Julianne Moore's good performance Aug 25, 2020 Full Review Roger Moore Movie Nation The perfect Mother's Day movie? Rated: 2.5/4 May 10, 2020 Full Review Tara Thorne The Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) 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. Jul 11, 2016 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (483) audience reviews
      StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 39 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Thematic Elements, Some Disturbing Images, and Language; ages 13 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Co-starring Nora Dunn (Saturday Night Live)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/24/23 Full Review tom m A charming story told well. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member It reminded my of my family, though this one was a better one. Woman gets blamed for not being a better wife, it must be her, to cause her husband to drink. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews
      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      My Rating

      Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Movie Clips

      View All videos

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Enjoy this Moment to the Fullest The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Enjoy this Moment to the Fullest 2:12 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I Don't Need You to Make Me Happy The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I Don't Need You to Make Me Happy 1:58 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - The Affadaisies The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - The Affadaisies 2:05 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I'm Not a Saint The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I'm Not a Saint 2:12 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - A Happy Cry The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - A Happy Cry 2:11 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Shopping Spree The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Shopping Spree 2:12 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - The Real Ryan Kids Grown Up The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - The Real Ryan Kids Grown Up 1:30 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Only if You'll Do the Ironing The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - Only if You'll Do the Ironing 1:12 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I Want This Thing Out of the House The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: Official Clip - I Want This Thing Out of the House 2:11 View more videos

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      44% 35% Bee Season 56% 62% The Ballad of the Sad Cafe 67% 65% Dreamland 90% 90% Million Dollar Baby 52% 67% An Unfinished Life Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Photos

      View All The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio photos

      The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

      View more photos

      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
      Most Popular at Home Now