Won't Back Down

Movies about teachers always find a way to be a bit too preachy.

Some teacher decides to work at a school where students can barely read and puts his or her Ivy League education to charitable use, inspiring an entire class with an “O Captain! My Captain!” speech.

“Won’t Back Down” doesn’t do this.

The conventionally inspiring leads actually have their own problems.
Maggie Gyllenhaal shines as an overzealous mother with two jobs who’s trying to better the education of her dyslexic daughter when she can barely do simple math herself.

Viola Davis plays a teacher at the school who has a special needs child of her own and understands the need for a change in the education system.

The two take on the school, hoping to make it better for their kids.

In a story that usually focuses on the background of the students, the two lead actresses provide moving back stories to balance the film, working to make this movie more realistic and believable.

By Christina Shelley