Told in a straightforward Midwestern kind of way, "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" is a deceptively simple morality play about family and cultural dynamics in the US. It takes place in the 1950s and ‘60s, which some mistakenly refer to as "simpler times." Julianne Moore is Evelyn Ryan, the ever-cheerful mother of 10 children and the much put upon wife of Kelly Ryan (Woody Harrelson), who swills down nearly his entire paycheck with beer and whiskey. He’s a raging drunk, who gets a pat on the back and is told to take it easy by the police when they are finally called. The conspiracy continues when the priest visits after an episode of drinking and he admonishes Evelyn to be a better wife to Kelly and to try harder in her marriage.

At one point Kelly even tells his wife that she’s just "too happy." He, on the other hand, cannot be happy about anything, certainly not any of the money or prizes that Evelyn keeps racking up as a talented jingle writer. Each time she wins seems like a jab at his ability as a provider. She is one of the many women across the country who enter contests and write catchy lines to sell products on television and magazines by following the phrase, "In 25 words or less…." This is actually how the Ryan family survives. Needed cash, as little as two dollars to pay the milk man, seems to arrive at just the right moment.

Then there are the bigger prizes, like freezers, washers and dryers, and even cars, which can be sold for cash. Evelyn’s efforts allow the Ryans to buy a house. Of course, at the closing the banker slides the papers over for Kelly to sign, so he is the owner of record for the home. The subtlety with which Evelyn slips back on her neat white gloves, which she’d removed to sign the contract, is poignant.

Laura Dern’s appearance as a fellow "contester" comes some time after the film begins. We’d nearly forgotten she was in it. She lives in Indiana and is a great admirer of Evelyn’s, and invites her to a monthly meeting that brings together other women who enter…and win local, regional and national jingle contests. One of them is confined to an iron lung, which is painted bright yellow with butterflies.

After a few false starts to drive the several hours for the meeting (with 10 kids there’s always some emergency) Evelyn and her daughter Terry hit the open road.

The women are thrilled to meet Evelyn and their conversation is lively and peppered with literary evaluation of composition and tone. In today’s world these women would be ad execs and editors. But the era of these big contests is ending. There’s one last hurrah for a lucky winner. Of course the gloriously optimistic Evelyn does win. It’s that type of movie.

Based on a true story, the screenplay was co-written by first time director Jane Anderson, with Terry Ryan (adapted from her book), one of Evelyn’s 10.

Careful attention to the details of their characters’ lives mark each of the performances by this amazing cast. Four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore has the mid-century mom ("The Hours," "Far From Heaven") locked on demeanor, and she moves flawlessly through the dialogue and the quiet impatience with circumstances that her character experiences. Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson taps into that frenzy that he sometimes brings, but not over the top. Laura Dern, another Oscar nominee, brings a wide, welcoming friendliness to her character.

The Ryan children, now adults, make an appearance at the end of the film, including Terry Ryan. Clips of information on each indicate that they lead successful, productive lives.