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

Jamie Fitzpatrick: I've just never been able to talk smart people into doing things before.

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Connections

References Norma Rae (1979)

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Soundtracks

"One World"
Written by Toby McKeehan, (as Toby McKeehan , Chris Stevens (as Christopher Stevens) and Gary Barlow (as Gary Barlowe)
Performed by Toby McKeehan
Featuring Siti Monroe
Courtesy of Forefront Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

The Vidiot Reviews

Won't Back Down

The hardest part about taking on a corrupt educational system is you having to raise your hand to ask permission to go to the washroom during talks.

However, the angry mothers in this drama are sans hall pass.

After noticing a lack of teaching at her daughter's (Emily Alyn Lind) school, concerned parent Jamie (Maggie Gyllenhaal) confronts her daughter's teacher.

Disturbed by the educator's apathy, Jamie takes her issues to the principal (Bill Nunn), but to no avail.

While attending a progressive education seminar, Jamie spots a teacher, Nona (Viola Davis), from Malia's school there.

Assuming an affinity for change, Jamie convinces Nona to help her take over the school.

A contrived concoction of real-life situations and Hollywood melodrama, Won't Back Down is plagued by easy answers and self-righteousness indignation.

Besides, how are teachers supposed to teach kids math when they're already busy potty- training and disciplining them for the parents?

(Red Light)

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