Fascinating, nostalgic trip back to the 1950s. Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson do a great job of acting the part of an Ohio couple with ten children whose livelihood relies more on Mom’s ability to write prize-winning jingles than Dad’s talents as a machinist. What’s particularly amazing is Evelyn’s (Moore’s) ability to find the silver lining in every dark cloud. She steadfastly refuses to let her husband’s drinking and tantrums bring her down. It’s based on a true story. Well worth watching…maybe twice!

This was a very cute story, but the movie wasn’t cutesy. Julianne Moore does a great job, as do all the actors. They really seemed to capture the feeling of the time period and the family drama and tension you feel is real. I thought it was particularly neat that at the very end of the movie they showed a scene with all of the real life children of Julianne Moore’s character. (The movie is based on a true story, which was made into a book by one of the aforementioned “children.”) They also include a bunch of photographs of the real family in the extra section of the DVD, which is somewhat interesting.

Dreamworks released this film in October 2005, to great critical success. However, when Dreamworks was sold to Paramount, the little independent film slipped through the cracks and basically wasn’t promoted or given a wide release. If I’m not mistaken, what the studio giant chose to push instead was War of the Worlds. A remake of a remake. And a mediocre one at that. Just another shining example of why the movie industry is so screwed up.

Anyway, this movie is amazing. It explores several interesting themes, and it does so subtly. It isn’t the kind of movie with a big flashing neon sign that says, “Here’s the moral of the story.”

Fist of all, it’s a completely accurate portrayal of how unpredictable it is to live with an alcoholic. Woody Harrelson gives a great performance as a man who feels completely powerless over his life, and doesn’t know how to deal with being married to Julianne Moore, a strong woman who is much more intelligent than he is. When he faulters in a mortgage payment, or doesn’t have enough to buy groceries, it’s her contest entries that win them the money the family of ten kids needs to get by.

Another thing this film illustrates beautifully is just how powerless women in the 1950’s could be. Julianne Moore’s character is clearly the one holding the family together, and yet, time after time, we see just how little control she has over things. She doesn’t know how to drive, she has to deal with her husband’s rages, and, although her writing was what earned the money for the down payment on their house, her husband’s name is on the mortgage.

Both Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson give great performances. The child actors are also, surprisingly, very talented as well. Despite the fact that it was a flop in theaters, go see this. Its box office record has no bearing on the quality of the film. This is a great movie that shows just how far you can go with creativity and a good attitude.