Synopsis
OSCAR® Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis* lead a stellar cast in this rousing drama inspired by actual events. Frustrated by her dyslexic daughter’s struggles at a failing inner-city school, Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) tries to enroll her somewhere else. When this fails, Jamie recruits a disillusioned but caring teacher (Davis) to try to fix the broken school. Soon, the women find themselves in a tense battle against apathy, hopelessness, and powerful interests. OSCAR® Winner Holly Hunter and OSCAR ® Nominee Rosie Perez** also star in this inspiring story that shows how profoundly parents can affect their kids’ education.
*Maggie Gyllenhaal: 2009, Supporting Actress, Crazy Heart; Viola Davis: 2011, Actress, The Help; 2008, Supporting Actress, Doubt. **Holly Hunter: 1993, Actress, The Piano. Rosie Perez: 1993 Supporting Actress, Fearless.
Disk Information
**Theatrical Feature
**Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Daniel Barnz
**A Tribute to Teachers
**The Importance of Education
**Audio Commentary with Director Daniel Barnz
**Theatrical Trailer
**Sneak Peek
Cast & Crew
Reviews
Social-issue movies can have real societal impact. That's why Won't Back Down, which presses a lot of hot buttons, deserves to be taken seriously, and criticized seriously, on its own terms.
"Won't Back Down" details a bureaucratic process, and yet it plays more like an intense, emotional movie about parents and children.
The film makes a serious effort to present the other side's points.
The big moments work, the big scenes pay off and the big emotions are earned in this plucky movie about a couple of people realizing that they can make a difference.
