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:

Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Holly Hunter

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

school | children | teacher | inner city | parent | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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 USA:

$2,603,370, 30 September 2012, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,308,553, 18 November 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walden Media,Gran Via Productions,Lemodeln Model & Talent Agency

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oscar Isaac'a character is very inspired by music, notably Johnny Cash. He would later go on to play a musician in Inside Llewyn Davis.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

Hey Hey Hey
Written by Michael Franti
Performed by Michael Franti & Spearhead
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Does the Education of the future matter to you?

If you have a child in school tomorrow, or plan to have a child in school in the next decade, go see "Won't Back Down". Not because the writing is good, or the acting is good, but because the story could be from your own backyard, your own child's school.

This isn't a summer blockbuster like the "Avengers", and audiences loved the "Avengers", but none of us are super-heroes, nor will we ever be. We are all capable of being the type of hero so well portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhall and Viola Davis - Parents. Every adult, that experiences this film will understand that it does not take super-powers and a shiny costume to be a hero to a child, or a community.

So, yes, educating the next generation does matter. Who's going to be your Doctor, your Lawyer, your CEO in 30 years...a child being born today. If that child doesn't get an adequate education...how will they be able to achieve their dreams? How will our country survive through a generation of D and C students?

Go and enjoy "Won't Back Down" for what it is - Sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming, striving to make us all see that somethings are worth fighting for.