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Cast

Maggie Gyllenhaal
as Jamie Fitzpatrick

Viola Davis
as Nona Alberts

Holly Hunter
as Evelyn Riske

Oscar Isaac
as Michael Perry

Rosie Perez
as Breena Harper

Emily Alyn Lind
as Malia Fitzpatrick

Dante Brown
as Cody Alberts

Ving Rhames
as Principal Thompson

Lance Reddick
as Charles Alberts

Bill Nunn
as Principal Holland

Ned Eisenberg
as Arthur Gould

Marianne Jean-Baptiste
as Olivia Lopez

Liza Colon-Zayas
as Yvonne

Nancy Bach
as Deborah

Keith Flippen
as Ben

Robert Haley
as Tim

Lucia Forte
as District Receptionist

Sarab Kamoo
as Principal Chamudes

Teri Clark Linden
as Cody's Teacher

Joe Coyle
as Clay Bathgate

Jennifer Massey
as Valerie Bathgate

Jane Mowder
as Jan

Reavis Graham
as Hank Hunt

Anthony Marino Jr.
as Tyler

Richard Barlow
as Mr. Brandt

Rebecca Harris
as Ms. Southwick

Kevin Jiggets
as Mr. Mannis

Patricia Cray
as Ms. Schwartz

Juan Veza
as Mr. Parrish

Franklin Ojeda Smith
as Mr. King

Sara Lindsey
as Thompson's Assistant

Sue Jin Song
as Bureaucrat #1

Ted Russell
as Bureaucrat #2

Carmella Gioio
as Bureaucrat #3

Kurt Yue
as Daddy Drop-off

Gabrielle McClinton
as Babysitter

Elisa Perry
as Rhonda

Dionne Audain
as Adam's Parent

Becky Meister
as Teacher #1

Toni Romano
as Teacher #2

Stephen Weigand
as Riske's Assistant

Landri Shannan
as Landri

Paige Nelson
as Dana

Kyler Norton
as Nintendo Kid

Jack Walz
as Boy at Lottery

Ivanna Eubanks
as Girl at Lottery

Rick Applegate
as School Superintendent

Julius Tennon
as Thomas

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News & Interviews for Won't Back Down

Critic Reviews for Won't Back Down

Audience Reviews for Won't Back Down

• Feb 17, 2014

  3 3/4's--Very inspirational, and heartwarming. Made-for-tvish. A sad statement on the condition of the American education system, but depicts a good step for improvement. Well acted. Nicely done..
  Cynthia S Super Reviewer
• Dec 30, 2013

  It's a film with a big heart, but it's just so schlocky... Maggie Gyllenhaal plays essentially the same role she did in Crazy Heart, and the supporting ensemble does alright, but as a whole the project is sentimentally overwrought and occasionally veers into Lifetime territory. I appreciate the value of the story, but it's just not much of a movie... "fighting the system" has become a predictable formula, and this particular film does nothing others haven't done already.
  Daniel P Super Reviewer
• Feb 27, 2013

  Won't Back Down is a prime example of a movie that suffers from a weak script and average direction, but is saved by excellent and noteworthy performances. Having grand aspirations regarding the failing education system in urban public schools, it ultimately gives no solid solutions and overgeneralizes the myriad problems regarding said topic. Quite obviously, the movie leans heavily toward the right politically. (Damn those corrupt Teacher's Unions! If only everything ran like a business! That would fix urban blight!) Nevertheless, the performances given by Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal and the supporting cast keep the whole venture afloat. And it holds together better than "white savior" schlock like The Help. But when compared to other movies in its particular sub-genre such as Stand and Deliver and Lean on Me, or when its message is seriously analyzed, it doesn't quite make the grade.
  

  Joshua S Super Reviewer
• Jan 26, 2013

  "Won't Back Down" is a movie about two mothers(Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis) who are fed up with their children's failing school. They decide to risk everything to make a difference by going against the teacher unions and set out to do a school take over with the other parents and change things for the better for the kids. It's an inspirational movie, even though it runs a tad long and some of the background plot doesn't really go anywhere and just bogs the movie down some. Gyllenhaal does ok, but Viola Davis is fantastic. She is one of the best actresses today without a doubt. Whether your for or against unions it doesn't matter, because this movie is about making a difference for children. Emily liked and it made it all the way through, so if that happens I can almost guarantee all women will like it. Guys, probably not, but it's okay for a one time watch.
  

  Everett J Super Reviewer

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