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ERA
Did you know
Released 21 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio
"She raised ten kids on twenty five words or less."
2005 1h 39m EN
👍
6.6
SOLID
🥫
59%
ROTTEN
😬
58
METACRITIC
⭐
7.2
IMDB
★6.6TMDB · 91🥫59%Rotten Tomatoes●58Metacritic★7.2IMDB · 8,876
Drama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
A Midwestern housewife supports her large family by entering contests for ad slogans sponsored by consumer product companies, while dealing with abuse from her alcoholic husband. Based on a true story.
“She raised ten kids on twenty five words or less.”
Cast
Julianne Moore
Evelyn Ryan
Woody Harrelson
Kelly Ryan
Laura Dern
Dortha Schaefer
Trevor Morgan
Bruce Ryan
Ellary Porterfield
Tuff Ryan
Simon Reynolds
Ray the Milkman
Robert Clark
Dick Ryan
Michael Seater
Bub Ryan at 15 yrs
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Jane Anderson
- Writers
- Jane Anderson
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Jane Anderson, shot by Jonathan Freeman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by John Frizzell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Robert Dalva shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "She raised ten kids on twenty five words or less.".
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0406158 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
Only 91 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Jane Anderson directs. Jonathan Freeman behind the camera. John Frizzell scores. Robert Dalva cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Released 21 years ago.
- 2Directed by Jane Anderson, shot by Jonathan Freeman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 3Original score by John Frizzell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 4Editor Robert Dalva shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 5Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson and Laura Dern carry the top of the cast.
- 6Marketing tagline: "She raised ten kids on twenty five words or less.".
- 7IMDB entry: tt0406158 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 8Only 91 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
- 9Classified under 19 themes, including "commercial", "housewife", "based on true story", "middle class".
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Jonathan Freeman
- Original score
- John Frizzell
- Editing
- Robert Dalva
- Production design
- Edward T. McAvoy
- Makeup / hair
- Alan D'Angerio
- Sound
- Christopher Boyes
- Stunt coordinator
- Branko Racki
- Runtime
- 99 min · 1h 39m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 59% 🥫 Rotten
- Metacritic
- 58/100
- IMDB rating
- 7.2/10 · 8,876 votes
- MPAA
- PG-13
- US box office
- $627,844
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination total
Also by
Jane Anderson
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
ImageMovers
US
Revolution Studios
US
- GO
Go Fish Pictures
US
DreamWorks Pictures
US
Key crew
- Visual Effects ProducerCraig Sost
- ProducerRobert Zemeckis
- Production DesignEdward T. McAvoy
- ProducerSteve Starkey
- NovelTerry Ryan
- Set DecorationClive Thomasson
- CastingJohn Brace
- ProducerJack Rapke
- CastingLinda Lowy
- Executive ProducerMarty P. Ewing
- EditorRobert Dalva
- Script SupervisorSusan Marucci
- Stunt DoubleJodi Michelle Pynn
- ConductorJohn Frizzell
- Costume DesignerHala Bahmet
- Sound Re-Recording MixerChristopher Boyes
- OtherMac Smith
- Stand InJennifer Ricci
- HairstylistAlan D'Angerio
- HairstylistPatricia Medina
- HairstylistJennifer Bower O'Halloran
- Makeup ArtistSusan Reilly LeHane
- Art DirectionAndrew M. Stearn
- SoundMark Berger
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- commercial
- housewife
- based on true story
- middle class
- ohio
- dysfunctional marriage
- breaking the fourth wall
- based on memoir or autobiography
- prize money
- woman director
- mortgage
- contests and competitions
- 1950s
- 1960s
- large family
- tv contest
- prizes
- economic struggle
- grand prize
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical2005-09-28
Also known as
International titles
- La ganadoraES
