The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

Julianne Moore stars in out writer/director Jane Anderson’s 2005 adaptation of lesbian author Terry "Tuff" Ryan’s 2001 memoir THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO.

THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO

2005. USA.

 Director: Jane Anderson

Screenplay: Jane Anderson

Based on “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less” (2001) by Terry Ryan

 Starring: Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson, Laura Dern, Jordan Todosey, Ellary Porterfield, Monte Gagne, Simon Reynolds, Trevor Morgan, Monté Gagné, Robert Clark, Michael Seater, Erik Knudsen, Jake Scott, Ryan Price, Shae Norris & Abigail Falle

The film is set predominantly in the 1950s and follows Ryan’s mother, Evelyn Ryan (Moore), a hardworking mother of ten who helped support her family by winning jingle-writing contests after her husband became consumed by depression and addiction. Her clever wordplay put food on their table, kept a roof over their heads, and brought in all sorts of items from toasters to cars.

Inspiration for the memoir came after Evelyn’s passing in 1998 when Terry found her mother’s meticulous notes and congratulatory letters documenting all of the contests she had won. In a 2001 interview with the Oregonian she stated, “I knew when I found all that stuff I could really do her justice … It was like she was leaving her story behind for me to tell. My brothers and sisters helped me remember what it was like for us and how for my mother there was never a poverty of spirit or of mind.”

You can find THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO streaming on PlutoTV (USA), for rent/purchase on AppleTV and YouTube, and also available on DVD.