Won't Back Down (2012)

Two determined mothers­, one a teacher, look to transform their children's failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.

Director:

Daniel Barnz

Writers:

Brin Hill, Daniel Barnz

Stars:

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Oscar Isaac

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Jamie Fitzpatrick
Viola Davis	...	Nona Alberts
Oscar Isaac	...	Michael Perry
Holly Hunter	...	Evelyn Riske
Rosie Perez	...	Breena Harper
Emily Alyn Lind	...	Malia Fitzpatrick
Dante Brown	...	Cody Alberts
Lance Reddick	...	Charles Alberts
Ving Rhames	...	Principal Thompson
Bill Nunn	...	Principal Holland
Ned Eisenberg	...	Arthur Gould
Marianne Jean-Baptiste	...	Olivia Lopez
Liza Colón-Zayas	...	Yvonne
Nancy Bach	...	Deborah
Keith Flippen	...	Ben

Storyline

Two determined mothers with children who are failing in an inner city school in Pittsburgh join forces to take back the school, and turn it into a place of learning. But before they can change the school for the better, they must first battle the parents, the school board, and the teachers union. Because this is for their children, they won't back down from this enormous challenge.

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Plot Keywords:

school | children | teacher | inner city | teachers' union | 

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Taglines:

If you can't beat the system... change it

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Learning to Fly

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,603,370 (USA) (28 September 2012)

Gross:

$5,308,553 (USA) (16 November 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walden Media, Gran Via Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Michael Perry: When I drink, I ask nosey questions.
Jamie Fitzpatrick: When I drink, I marry losers.

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Connections

Featured in The Big Review: Fall Trailer Park (2012)

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Soundtracks

"San Francisco Moon'
Written and Performed by ;Adam Saunders'
Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Parents want excellence for their kids

I was attracted to this movie by the power of the trailers, and the movie didn't disappoint. It is an excellent depiction of the problems in an overly regulated and protected public school system, and more importantly, how parents will fight to get a quality education for their kids.

Many of the scenes are heart breaking. Why is it that parents have to struggle to get a proper education for their kids.

Viola Davis and Maggie G. both give very powerful performances. Davis' performance is as good as her role in 'The Help'. The viewer really feels the pain she has endured personally, and how she has slipped from her early passion for teaching. Glyenhaal's energy is infectious. No problem she faced discouraged her. She was masterful in how she turned each parent and teacher 'no' into a 'yes'.