The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, directed by Jane Anderson and released in 2005, tells the true story of a mother from Defiance, Ohio who helped raise her rather large family by winning contests to earn money and necessities in absence of a steady income from her husband. Julianne Moore plays Evelyn Ryan, who is in constant conflict with her husband Kelly (Woody Harrelson) that she does love but can't trust to support the family. Through her contests, Evelyn is able to provide for her ten children from home, even though she lives a very restricted life and seldom travels away from the neighborhood. Throughout the course of the film, mise-en-scene plays a crucial role in establishing a realistic setting in the past through a well-planned overall design, helping the viewer realize that the story was real and that the timeframe was essential for it to be carried out. Evelyn Ryan's story is one that could not have happened in a modern era, nor farther back than the 1950s. Establishing that strict time for the film was necessary for the story to play out at all.
[...] Aside from the condition of their clothing, the mixed nature of the family possessions relays much information about their status and struggle, a fact that the design team captured well. Through her contests, Evelyn was able to win brand new appliances that seemed out of place in their older home among thrift-store quality furnishings. The pristine freezer angered Kelly so badly that he brought out his rage on it, damaging the surface in the process. Other valuables that contrast to their financial situation, such as the sports car, were sold off to earn money for food. [...]
[...] Prize Winning Design The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, directed by Jane Anderson and released in 2005, tells the true story of a mother from Defiance, Ohio who helped raise her rather large family by winning contests to earn money and necessities in absence of a steady income from her husband. Julianne Moore plays Evelyn Ryan, who is in constant conflict with her husband Kelly (Woody Harrelson) that she does love but can't trust to support the family. Through her contests, Evelyn is able to provide for her ten children from home, even though she lives a very restricted life and seldom travels away from the neighborhood. [...]
[...] Evelyn is stuck in a position where the wife holds no power over the family and cannot control what her husband does. Pointing out the broken milk glass, his alcoholism, dysfunctional household items and other stressors gives the audience a more in-depth idea of how much trouble Evelyn and her children face. The various design elements used for the film's overall presentation depict a very accurate setting straight from the fifties and sixties. Even more specifically, they tell the story [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
