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Won't Back Down

  • 2012
  • PG
  • 2h 1m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
7K
YOUR RATING
Won't Back Down (2012)
Two determined mothers­ 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.
Play trailer2:32
12 Videos
35 Photos
Drama

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 i... Read allTwo 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.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
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Daniel Barnz
    • Writers
      • Brin Hill
      • Daniel Barnz
    • Stars
      • Viola Davis
      • Maggie Gyllenhaal
      • Holly Hunter
    • 43User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos12

    No. 1
    Trailer 2:32
    No. 1
    Won't Back Down: Want To Start A School With Me?
    Clip 1:02
    Won't Back Down: Want To Start A School With Me?
    Won't Back Down: Want To Start A School With Me?
    Clip 1:02
    Won't Back Down: Want To Start A School With Me?
    Won't Back Down: Change The School, Change The Neighborhood
    Clip 0:44
    Won't Back Down: Change The School, Change The Neighborhood
    Won't Back Down: Hands Off Our Kids
    Clip 1:10
    Won't Back Down: Hands Off Our Kids
    Won't Back Down: Phone Call From Tyler
    Clip 1:12
    Won't Back Down: Phone Call From Tyler
    Won't Back Down: I Just Want To Teach
    Clip 1:06
    Won't Back Down: I Just Want To Teach

    Photos35

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    + 29
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Viola Davis
    Viola Davis
    • Nona Alberts
    Maggie Gyllenhaal
    Maggie Gyllenhaal
    • Jamie Fitzpatrick
    Holly Hunter
    Holly Hunter
    • Evelyn Riske
    Oscar Isaac
    Oscar Isaac
    • Michael Perry
    Rosie Perez
    Rosie Perez
    • Breena Harper
    Emily Alyn Lind
    Emily Alyn Lind
    • Malia Fitzpatrick
    Dante Brown
    Dante Brown
    • Cody Alberts
    Lance Reddick
    Lance Reddick
    • Charles Alberts
    Ving Rhames
    Ving Rhames
    • Principal Thompson
    Bill Nunn
    Bill Nunn
    • Principal Holland
    Ned Eisenberg
    Ned Eisenberg
    • Arthur Gould
    Marianne Jean-Baptiste
    Marianne Jean-Baptiste
    • Olivia Lopez
    Liza Colón-Zayas
    Liza Colón-Zayas
    • Yvonne
    Nancy Bach
    • Deborah
    Keith Flippen
    Keith Flippen
    • Ben
    Robert Haley
    Robert Haley
    • Tim
    Lucia Scarano
    Lucia Scarano
    • District Receptionist
    • (as Lucia Forte)
    Sarab Kamoo
    Sarab Kamoo
    • Principal Chamudes
    • Director
      • Daniel Barnz
    • Writers
      • Brin Hill
      • Daniel Barnz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews43

    6.46.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7DICK STEEL

    A Nutshell Review: Won't Back Down

    Won't Back Down may sound like an apt title for an action film filled with bloodlust, but it's more civil, although it is about picking a fight and doing battle against establishment that had not benefited nor served the average man, or in this case, woman on the street, and those that it represents, protects, or serves. The USA centric storyline will require a little reading up on the background of the Parent Trigger Law passed in California, which allows parents to enforce overhauls in public school administration, and basically have a say in how things are run. This story is inspired by that, written by Brin Hill and director Daniel Barnz, to become a true underdog struggle.

    Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis headline the movie, playing the two interest groups that are affected broadly by change that's impending for the Adams Elementary school, where the former plays a single mom Jamie Fitzpatrick whose daughter Malia (Emily Alyn Lind) is enrolled in the school but being dyslexic, learns almost nothing but still got passed through the levels because frankly, nobody cares. Davis plays one of the many teachers in the school, but as Nona Alberts, she probably is the only teacher who cares about the proper education of her students, but is getting little support and attention. Add to that, she also has a son Cody (Dante Brown) who's a little bit slow to learn. Put two and two together, and joining forces, they would take on the administration, unions, and fellow teachers to try and convince everyone there's a better place they can elevate everyone's position to.

    The film may seem to have an axe to grind with educational bureaucracy, since many characters on the other side are portrayed as emotionless, wanting to keep the status quo because rocking the boat doesn't serve their purpose (probably expanding their scope of work). The usual fat and lazy labels are easily applied to every bureaucrat, even making them take on the usual hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, or throwing arguments out the window because of technicalities, and the list goes on. Tasked to taking a stand publicly and individually, is probably in the fantasy fiction arena, but undoubtedly proving to be quite delicious an experience when things had to come to an explosive, though expected, conclusion.

    And for those who are anti-establishment, you'd probably attest to the myriad of games and dirty tricks those in power will play, in order to squash ideas and ideals that are not to their advantage. Things like character assassination, coercion, threats made on livelihoods and jobs, and enticement with benefits to the leaders to give up the good fight and abandon the rest fighting for the same ideals. And if one is up against positions of power, then expect one's history to be scrutinized, and blotches made a mountain of. It will reveal character then, if one can stomach the good fight for something one believes in, or throw in the towel to back away, disappointing many in the process, especially those who had responded and heeded the call to assist.

    Being a film, one will expect the usual Checkov's gun being cocked early and unleashed when required, providing meat into a subplot to show how deep the establishment's reach can get, especially when one is under threat. And the film is naturally never without a romantic angle, provided by another teacher at Adams Elementary (played by Oscar Isaac) who finds the time to romance the very busy Jamie Fitzpatrick, having to juggle a number of jobs, odd hours, attention paid to her daughter as well as to fight the good fight against social injustice. At times though, the pace and narrative needed tightening, as elements and scenes got introduced for the sake of adding some further depth to a character, without real necessity to do so, such as Nona's deeply buried history concerning her kid.

    If looked from a bigger picture angle, Won't Back Down applies beyond the US school system context, and is often reflective of experiences of those fighting for causes they believe in, going up against a behemoth called the system, organization, or establishment that has resources and clout. It's a pure underdog story that could be enjoyed, even though it's about the dirty politics that get played out behind the scenes.
    8gwen-488-249207

    The Parent Empowerment Movement Has Begun... Embrace it!

    To Wont Back Down Critics: I am an Urban parent, so the question on the table is: "Are parents suppose to sit back and continue to allow education systems to continue to fail to effectively educate and keep safe millions of children because the defenders of "failure as an option" are not ready to embrace change in how we deliver education to children?

    The Bottom line: if parents don't protect their children who will?

    FYI the fictional parent Maggie was the actual "trigger" not some law! She saw a problem in the school and it "triggered" her into action! Don't be afraid that the modern civil/human rights issue has hit the big screen and the Parent Empowerment Movement has begun!
    6rgblakey

    Stand up for better education in Won't Back Down

    There are movies that come along based on inspirational stories and usually manage to deliver just on the story itself. When you give them a bit of a budget and some great actors then you have the possibility of creating something special. The latest film takes on the rarely talked about in film issue of education in Won't Back Down. With Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis leading the way could there be any chance this film doesn't work?

    Won't Back Down follows two determined mothers whose children are failing in an inner city school, who team up to take back the school and turn it into a place of learning. Before they are able to change the school, they have to battle the parents, school board, and teachers union. While this isn't an actual true story like a lot of these films, it is based on various incidents of its kind. They don't break any molds or do anything that hasn't been done in some way before, but what is refreshing is who is under fire in this story, the education itself as opposed to those struggling to learn. The performances are all great and the movie works fine, but there is just something missing that most of these films have to really suck you in and that's that moment where those fighting the losing battle deliver a memorable moment that turns things around. Most likely trying to shove that into this story would have felt forced and cliché, it just lacked that needed punch to add the extra passion to make the movie step out of just another in a line of inspirational stories.

    Make no mistake, this is a great movie, but isn't breaking any ground. If you enjoy these sorts of stories then you should check it out. Thanks to the two leads it takes a film that could have been pretty generic and turned it into something really good. If these two great actresses aren't enough to suck you in, the film also sports a great supporting cast as well including Ving Rhames, Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez and Bill Nunn so there is bound to be someone in there to peak your interest.
    6napierslogs

    Poorly marketed, received drama trying to fight the good fight

    Jamie Fitzpatrick (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a single mother trying to hold down two jobs, struggling to afford a good education for her daughter. "Won't Back Down" is her fight to change the public school system. Joining her is a strong, tough, independent disenchanted black teacher, Nona Alberts (Viola Davis). It's a drama poorly marketed as anti-union propaganda and was just as poorly received.

    The film isn't as bad as the critics' ratings, the dismal box office performance, or the word-of-mouth criticism suggests. It's certainly not great. The predictability, the cloying sentimentality, and desire for perfection make sure it won't reach the great heights that the film seems to have envisioned for itself. But for people who like dramas where a disenfranchised community comes together to fight against a system, the film does hit the right notes.

    Overall the acting is great, even though Davis can kiss her award chances goodbye. Gyllenhaal was the only one that attempted to add some comedy to her role. She has always been great at melding together drama and comedy and more comedy always seems to be a good thing. The best role, however, was Oscar Isaac who played both Jamie's love interest and a teacher who was doing his best to not fail the students. He supported the union, respected his fellow teachers, respected his students, fell in love with Jamie and supported her cause even though his multiple stances would frequently be at odds. He also did all of the above with a guitar strapped over his shoulder and made little girls laugh with renditions of Johnny Cash songs. It's too bad he won't be able to garner any Oscar buzz.

    I'm assuming one of the major issues with the failing of this film was the timing of the release. Although September marks the beginning of the school year, it is also a time of hope, optimism for the year that could be. Parents and children alike believing that this year they're going to find a teacher that inspires them and see their dreams for the future come true. It's not a time for the reminder that the public school education system sucks. This film would be better left for February, during the ides of winter, when students and parents alike are struggling to learn what they're supposed to know and have lost the optimism they had just six months earlier. At its best, "Won't Back Down" would be able to provide that lost hope; fighting the good fight, as long as that doesn't get too monotonous.
    7SnoopyStyle

    Propaganda? Maybe, but still a good film

    Jaime Fitzpatrick (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and teacher Nona Alberts (Viola Davis) are both parents who are tired of their failing inner city school. They battle union boss Evelyn Riske (Holly Hunter) and others to take save the school and their kids.

    There's no doubt that there is a pedigree of Christian conservative roots in this movie. The big name in production is Walden Media and they have their roots in Christian conservative ownership. So is it propaganda? Probably, but it's still a good movie.

    This is a movie where the labor union is made to be complete villains, and disconnected to the teachers on the ground. They lie and bribe to save their own jobs. The teachers are either good or evil. The one bad teacher can't be just incompetent. She's is literally Evil. Having said that. It is a well made film. There is good. There is evil. There are obstacles to overcome. The acting is good. The story is compelling. Other than a couple of hokey moments and some slow spots, the story flowed well. So on the film itself without taking sides, this is a definite 7. sides, this is a definite 7.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Last film of Bill Nunn.
    • 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
      Not Yo
      Written and Performed by Shelly Speck

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Won't Back Down?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ni Un Paso Atrás
    • Filming locations
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production companies
      • Walden Media
      • Gran Via Productions
      • Lemodeln Model & Talent Agency
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,310,554
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,603,370
      • Sep 30, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,378,228
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 1m(121 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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