"The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio"

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 4:28am

I saw this film tonight, and despite my reservations about Julianne Moore playing (yet again,) a typical 1950's housewife, I have a new movie to add to my list of favorites.

There is something so thoroughly interesting and beautiful to me about ordinary people and their troubles. Common, ordinary, everyday people and their struggle to make ends meet - to me, there's something about it that's so heartwrenching. Or maybe I just like semi-depressing things...

And while much of this movie is light, enjoyable, and a good time - the majority of it - the core of it - is about something far more serious and far more upsetting. I'm not going to reveal any spoilers, but I absolutely recommend this film to each and every person.

At the head of the film, Julianne Moore (in a role she seems to have been born to play,) is completely and utterly brilliant. She succeeds in every conceivable way - in ways that she fell short of in simiar roles in THE HOURS and FAR FROM HEAVEN. I have always respected her as a fine actress, but seeing her in this role has forever changed my opinion on her. Oscar worthy film this is certainly not - but her performance absolutely is. I can't say enough amazing things about it - just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. Woody Harrelson is also fantastic.

It's been a while since I actually sobbed at a movie, and I'm glad I chose this film tonight. Every once in a while it's good to have a reality check - and for me, film and theatre is something I can always rely on to get myself back in check. This movie inspired me and taught me to not sweat the small stuff - to appreciate what I have and to just be happy, because life is too short to be unhappy. (And this is all coming from the most cynical person you will all ever "know" - that's how much it made me think.) I'm in a little bit of a depressed mood tonight - it really made me reconsider how I treat other people, how I live my life, and how I spend my time. Given, it's not a brilliant movie - it's not Oscar worthy, and it is certainly not without flaws. Despite that, Moore's performance and the utter heart of the thing REALLY REALLY struck a chord with me, as I hope it does with all of you.

Go see this - it will move you more than I can possibly say.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 8:19am

I'm going to see it soon (loved the book). Plus, I'll see anything with Julianne Moore.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 8:22am

Julie should quickly get away from the '50s housewife roles, it's becoming increasingly difficult to tell which film is which.

[shira467]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 10:10am

Jose, I do agree!

On that same note, I desperately want to see this movie!

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 10:10am

in ways that she fell short of in simiar roles in THE HOURS and FAR FROM HEAVEN.

I don't know how I feel about that. I thought she gave the best performance of 2002 in ...Heaven. That said, I really want to see this.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 10:18am

I'm going to see this very soon, but I would like to second the best performance of the year for Far From Heaven. I also thought she was stunning in The Hours. I was hoping against hope that she would become the first person to win for both lead and supporting in the same year but she of course lost out to two far less deserving performances.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 11:34am

As I've said before, I felt that her performances in HEAVEN and THE HOURS were identical. I agree, Jose, that she needs to get away from this typecasting - but the housewife she plays here is very different from the housewife she portrayed in the other movies - here she actually has a voice, and she portrays a very strong, smart woman.

Lost to two lesser performances? I'm sorry, but I thought Nicole Kidman was brilliant in THE HOURS. Zeta Jones is up in the air for me...

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 11:48am

Kidman was fine in The Hours but she was by no means a lead performance. And I couldn't agree with you less about Moore's performances being identical.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 12:09pm

Hey Munkie, I haven't seen you in ages!

But back on topic, it looks and sounds intriguing. And I would have to agree with the concensus that she was stunning in The Hours and Far From Heaven. In The Hours she far outclassed Kidman, who was fine, but nothing spectacular.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 4:24pm

As I've said before, I felt that her performances in HEAVEN and THE HOURS were identical.

Do you really think so? I couldn't disagree more.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 9:19pm

I don't know guys, there was really something about Kidman in THE HOURS that grabbed me.

And yes, I really do feel that her performances were IDENTICAL. Maybe it's only because I saw the films back to back and that they came out the same year. Don't get me wrong - she's fantastic in everything she does - but I just felt like there was no difference in both performance. Same whispering, suppressed 50's housewife "yes honey" type of voice. I just found everything about them identical - just like I found Bill Murray's performances in LOST IN TRANSLATION, THE LIFE AQUATIC, and BROKEN FLOWERS to be literally identical as well.

Regardless of the past - of what we thought of Moore in ANYTHING and who was better than whomever - I think her work in PRIZE WINNER is the best yet, and I urge you all to go see it, and bring your friends. You'll want to give your mom a big hug when it's over

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 10:47pm

How was Woody Harrellson? What's the deal with his character judging by the trailer? Is he just pissed off or is he, like, an abusive monster in the Ike Turner mold?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 11:37pm

He is fantastic! He's not pissed off, and he's not an abusive monster. He plays a very confused, depressed, unhappy man - and while he clearly makes and has made some terrible devastating decisions, his family's happiness is first and foremost. And while there are times when I hated him, you can also see why she's still married to him. He's really a good guy. His kids, however, all seem to despise him. JUST SEE THE MOVIE!!!!!!

[justme2]

Posted: 10/2/05 at 11:44pm

Hi Munk and thanks again for another great review!

I saw a commerical for this movie and it looked interesting, but I was a little unclear about what it was actually about. After reading your review, I think I'll be giving it a chance.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 2:24am

i live about 20-30 minutes from Defiance! i can't wait to see this movie i love Julianne Moore.

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 6:15am

I usually don't a judge movie from a trailer but this one struck me as one big long cloying, manipulative little sap-fest.
Updated On: 10/3/05 at 06:15 AM

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 7:49am

Did you see the trailer for North Country, another movie with Woody Harrellson?

It looks amazing!

It's about a landmark sexual harassment case in a mining town.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 9:28am

Well, aside from being housewives and living in the same period, there's nothing similar (to me, at least) about Cathy Whitaker and Laura Brown.

Anyway, I saw Proof last night, and I thought it was excellent. Really intruiging plot, well-directed. Paltrow and Davis were the best ones in the film, but Gyllenhaal and Hopkins were also really good.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 10:13am

I was lucky enough to see this film on Friday. What a fantastic film!

I'm not sure I'm ready to give it best picture at the Oscars (although, it is easily one of my favorite films this year), but...I would feel fine giving nods to Julianne Moore and/or Woody.

Woody, especially, gives a breakthrough performance. He played the part of abusive husband and made it sympathetic with just a single smile. Astonishing work, really.

And Ms. Moore is, imho, great in this part, too. She resists the temptation to overact this, and simply tells the story in a very strong, yet subtle way. Marvelous work.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 10:32am

I'm glad you all liked it! I'm actually from Defiance so, of course, I had to see it this weekend as well. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and Julianne Moore was absolutely brilliant as Mrs. Ryan. It was funny to see things like Chief Supermarket and Arps milk up there on the big screen. Yes, those are real things that are still in Defiance today. As well as the sign on the side of the building as you go out of town. Only now it says "Defiance- A Great Place To Live." I'm just so proud of my little town today!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 12:00pm

Broadway: I didn't say that Laura Brown and Cathy Whitaker were at all the same - they're entirely different people. I said that Moore played them the same way - and that's where the problem was - for me.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 12:59pm

This movie was definitely thought provoking. The blog entry I wrote about it is one of the longest I've ever written- and there's so much more I could've put in there. I was actually a bit shocked at how un-Hollywood the whole thing turned out. Dave Ryan, the youngest of the kids and the only one who still lives in Defiance, said that the movie is a very accurate portrayal of their lives.

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/3/05 at 1:56pm

Munk-

I disagree with that, too. I think it was two completely different styles of acting. But, that's just me.