Won't Back Down

Won't Back Down Photos

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Cast & Crew

Maggie Gyllenhaal
Jamie Fitzpatrick

Viola Davis
Nona Alberts

Holly Hunter
Evelyn Riske

Oscar Isaac
Michael Perry

Rosie Perez
Breena Harper

Ving Rhames
Principal Thompson

Lance Reddick
Charles Alberts

Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Olivia Lopez

Bill Nunn
Principal Holland

Emily Alyn Lind
Malia Fitzpatrick

Dante Brown
Cody Alberts

Liza Colón-Zayas
Yvonne

Ned Eisenberg
Arthur Gould

Nancy Bach
Deborah

Keith Flippen
Ben

Robert Haley
Tim

Daniel Barnz
Director

Brin Hill
Screenwriter

Daniel Barnz
Screenwriter

Mark Johnson
Producer

Tom Williams
Executive Producer

Ron Schmidt
Executive Producer

Roman Osin
Cinematography

Rusty Smith
Production Design

Kristina Boden
Film Editing

Luca Mosca
Costume Design

Marcelo Zarvos
Original Music

Laura Rosenthal
Casting

Julie Madison
Casting

Nadia Lubbe Simon
Casting

Gary Kosko
Art Director

Diana Stoughton
Set Decoration

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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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