Day 11: Movie Review – The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio

Christmas time is one of the tiring seasons in the year.

But I thank God for the downtime He has given us.

December 26 — a day after Christmas — has been a slow day for our family.

Thank God for Netflix!

I don’t know about you, but our family loves watching movies.

When I was younger, we used to rent out Betamax tapes, and then VHS tapes, and then there came the CDs.

After that, there was the cable TV.

HBO, Fox Movies, and Cinemax are some of the stunning things created by cable TV especially for movie fanatics like me.

The downside to these is that I have to watch whatever it is they put on air. I can’t make a request. I have to “appreciate” the replays.

(Then again, thank God for Netflix!)

How do you think we relax after a tiring day?

You got it…

My husband and I like watching a movie (or TV series) at night to conclude an exhausting day of working and caring for the kids.

Tonight, he asked me to choose the movie since he’s been liking the ones I have been choosing lately.

As I was looking for a good movie to watch on Netflix, this movie about a mother named Evelyn Ryan who raised ten kids by winning jingle-writing contests caught my eye.

The setting of the movie was dated before women had domestic rights.

I have been told that I am a woman with a strong personality. (I came from a family with domineering and controlling women.) So, thinking about how this mother of ten raised these many children under the society’s stigma intrigued me.

Here’s the interesting part…

The movie is based on a true story — a memoir written by one of Evelyn’s daughters, Tuff Ryan, whom you will surely easily identify in this big brood of 10 in the movie.

This heartwarming film had me in awe and melted my heart!

This movie The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is a warm and touching movie to be celebrated not only by women, but also by husbands, fathers, and children alike.

It’s about Evelyn, a mother — a superwoman of her time, if I may add.

She was married to a frustrated singer (an unfortunate accident ended his singing career) who turned to the bottle for solace and “manhood.”

They can barely make ends meet, but her positivity is something.

While we were watching the movie, there were times when I would grunt in disbelief at the husband’s decisions (like buying two bottles of alcohol over a meal for his family or for resenting his wife for being “too happy”).

I am blessed by how Evelyn graciously responded to her husband.

I don’t know if she is a Christian, but her gentleness and ability to view things differently — positively and hopefully — keeps me in awe (yes, until now)!

I don’t want to spoil how the movie ended.

If you’re looking for good acting, great storyline, and an uplifting movie for the rest of the holidays, I strongly recommend this.

It’s an inspiring and wonderful film for the whole family.

Watch it and I hope that you’ll be as blessed as we were when we saw this movie.

Here are some quotable quotes I’d like to share from the film.

As Evelyn ends her eventful day, she told this to one of her children with a smile on her face,

Evelyn Ryan: Let’s go to bed. I’m tired of this day. I need a new one.

When the Ryans found out that someone would come over to interview the finalists in one of the contests that Evelyn joined, they needed to buy the product to show that their family uses the product.

Leo “Kelly” Ryan: This is my last dollar. What if we don’t win?
Evelyn Ryan: Well, that is a problem for another day.

It’s amazing how she lets go of worries that way.

I am a planner. I like planning for the best and the worst.

Why?

Because I don’t work well under pressure. I don’t think clearly when I am under pressure. I have a difficult time looking at the big picture when I am under pressure.

Like I always say, I’m like Diesel fuel. I need to get all “warmed up” before I can function properly.

I remember a passage in the Scripture that says,

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34

On to the last quote for the day.

Leo “Kelly” Ryan: Do you hate me, Mother?
Evelyn Ryan: I’m still in shock right now. I’ll have to let you know.

Someone said that women are emotional.

This is a fact for me.

I have the tendency to be impulsive.

To dwell.

To focus more on my emotions and how I was hurt.

By God’s amazing grace, I am working on looking at things objectively especially when I am emotionally charged. (I thank the Lord for my husband. He’s a great example and role model to me about showing patience, grace, and fairness).

So there you have it.

I thank You, Lord, for the life of Evelyn Ryan — this gracious and gentle woman who patiently and lovingly raised and provided for her disheartened husband and many children. Apart from You, this gentleness and patience and love is impossible for me! I thank You, my Jesus, that because of You and what You did on the cross, this is possible for me.

Because of You, I can do ALL things for You are the One who gives me the strength to do them all. All praises and glory to my Lord and my Hope, Jesus.

How about you?

Are there any movies that touched your heart during the holiday break? Please share the movie titles in the comment section below 👇 and allow us to be blessed as you are.

❤️ Mama Sel