Title: Won’t Back Down [Blu-ray]
Release Date: January 15, 2013
About the Movie:
Oscar® Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis lead a stellar cast in this empowering drama inspired by actual events. Hard-working single mom Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) is concerned that John Adams Elementary is letting her daughter down. Teaming with a caring teacher (Davis) who wants the best future for her own son, she sets out to improve attitudes and elevate the school’s academic standards. Despite the odds, with courage, hope and persistence, the women just might prevail in this uplifting film that also stars Rosie Perez and Academy Award® Winner Holly Hunter.
My Review:
Won’t Back Down is based on a true story about a mother fighting for change in her daughter’s failing school. It was one of those movies similar to Erin Brockovitch that had me riled up and cheering on the “good guys”. I couldn’t get over just how bad Adams Elementary School in Pittsburg was. Jamie Fitzpatrick’s daughter was in second grade there with a teacher who did not care about her students and did not even make an effort to teach them. It had an F grade for the last 18 years and the teachers seemed to care more about the union and the money they were earning rather than doing their jobs. I was really floored by the whole situation. I wondered if there was schools like Adams Elementary in Canada?
After witnessing first hand the lack of caring and attention by her daughter’s teacher, Jamie decides to take matters in her own hands. She teams up with another teacher named Nona (played by Viola Davis) and together they form a plan of attack on turning the school around. First they must get the majority of the parents on board which turns out to not be an easy task with the Teacher’s Union trying to stop them every chance they get. Then they have to get at least 18 of the teachers at the school on their side. The teachers are worried about their jobs which I can understand. If they side with Jamie & Nona, they lose their union and the job security that goes with that. Then comes a 400 page proposal that must be drafted and has to be absolutely perfect because if there’s one typo, they can be immediately denied.
The red tape and bureaucracy is insane! I was frustrated watching it and seeing how difficult the system was and all this mother wanted was for her daughter to learn. That is not too much to ask! She shouldn’t have to pay thousands of dollars just so her daughter can learn to read and write.
I loved this movie and thought it was very eye-opening. I admired Jamie’s drive and energy to do everything and anything to see that her daughter has a proper education. This movie is a must-watch for parents!
Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample of the product for review purposes. The opinions are my own, based on my personal experience with the product.
About Stacie
Great review been dying to see this movie looks soooooo thrilling and exihilerating looking forward to it thanks for the great review!
Never heard of this movie (happens so often since I don’t get to the theater much!). I will have a look myself!
We are on the waiting list for it at the library. Can’t wait to see it!
We saw the preview in the theater and I can’t wait to rent it!
I totally want to see this!
xo
This movie looks like its worth watching! Thanks for the review!
I saw the previews for this and I thought it sounded like a really great movie. I would hope that the majority of teachers now enjoy doing what they do and take pride in the achievement of their students.. How sad that is that things got that bad for them to have had to go to the extreme that they did.
Sounds great, been wanting to see this.
Sounds like a good movie, I will have to watch it.
This looks like another great movie that I want to watch! I lie the story about a mother wanting to change her failing school! Very interesting and I am going to see it!
Looks like one Id watch!
thanks for the great review on this . I agree we all want our children to learn and when we find good teachers we want to keep them. Our children learn better if they have a teacher they like.
A 400 page proposal without errors – oh my. Its a shame we have to fight for what we should already have in our schools- teachers that are really their to TEACH our children.
I love Maggie Gyllenhaal, I’m sure I will be watching it! Not generally my type of movie though, so thank you for the review – probably see it a little sooner now!
haven’t seen it yet but i am sure it is a good movie. what chick doesn’t like seeing other women being great leaders
Thanks for the great review! This sounds like a movie to be watched by everyone not just parents. We have no children but I’m still interested in their welfare and their futures……..they are OUR future
Sounds like a very inspirational and positive movie. I hope I get a chance to see it someday.
Sounds like a great movie. Would love to go see this.
Sounds like a movie I’d enjoy, will definitely watch this one, thanks!
I really want to check this movie out! Sounds like an interesting film! Thanks!
Surprised it didn’t do better in the theateres
Haven’t heard of this before – will check it out. Thanks for the review.
I dig these kinds of movies. Simple plot yet it’ll capture your heart! I can’t wait to have my own and watch it!
I like the review on Won’t Back Down DVD the movie sounds so amazing that parents and their children pull together with some people from the school on board to turn things around.
Wow, I’ve never heard of this movie before. Then again having a toddler, I don’t often get the chance to watch television let alone go to the theatre. I’ll keep an eye out for the movie though from your review I have a feeling I’ll be happily crying by the end of it lol
Wow, I’ve never heard of this movie before. Then again having a toddler, I don’t often get the chance to watch television let alone go to the theatre. I’ll keep an eye out for the movie though from your review I have a feeling I’ll be happily crying by the end of it lol