Won't Back Down
Closed CaptioningDaniel Barnz
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Plot Summary
OSCAR ® Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal (2009, Supporting Actress, "Crazy Heart") and Viola Davis (2011, Actress, "The Help") lead a stellar cast in writer-director Daniel Barnz’s inspirational drama inspired by actual events. Frustrated by her dyslexic daughter’s struggles at a failing inner-city school, Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) tries to enroll her somewhere else. When this fails, Jamie recruits a disillusioned but caring teacher (Davis) to try to fix the broken school. Soon, the women find themselves in a tense battle against apathy, hopelessness, and powerful interests. OSCAR ® Winner Holly Hunter (1993, Actress, "The Piano") and OSCAR ® Nominee Rosie Perez (1993 Supporting Actress, "Fearless") also star in this inspiring story that shows how profoundly parents can affect their kids’ education.
Movie Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes
TOMATOMETER
33%- Reviews Counted: 78
- Fresh: 26
- Rotten: 52
- Average Rating: 5.1/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Rotten: However you take its politics, the film upholds a dreary tradition of simplifying and sentimentalizing matters of serious social concern, and dumbing down issues that call for clarity and creative thinking.
Rotten: Teachers unions are by no means perfect, but Won't Back Down turns them into public school enemy number one.
Rotten: Even terrific casting and a well-intentioned story don't add up to a wholehearted cinematic win.
Rotten: So shamelessly manipulative and hopelessly bogus it will make you bite your tongue in regret and despair.
Customer Reviews
Don't Read the Biased Media Critcs' Reviews
When I heard about the plot of this movie I knew right away the movie critics would hate it. Mom takes on teacher's union --- that's all the critics--New York Times, TIME magazine, USA Today, LA TImes-- had to hear to give a thumbs down to this great story and inspiring story. Movie crtitics are liberals first, movie critics second. And I'm 100 percent sure never had to raise their kids in a failing school system.
Love it!
Love it! Love it! Love it! Forget all your talk about politics, it was a movie about a mom fighting for a better life for her child. No parent could say that if they were in that situation they would do anything else.
Completely Under Rated
This movie is about fighting for what you believe in. Viola and Maggie give great performances. Gives me hope every time I watch.
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