Movie Review of 'Won’t Back Down'

This week’s guest post is written by Rachel Shapiro, who kindly attended a movie screening of the movie Won’t Back Down hosting by Circle of Moms.

Movie Review: Won’t Back Down

For moms especially, this movie is a tearjerker! Won’t Back Down is a story about hope and doing everything in your power so that your kids have a better life, a stronger education and a brighter future.

Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Jamie, a mom determined to find a better school for her second-grade daughter with Dyslexia, even if it’s means she has to start a new school herself. Without a college education, Jamie works two jobs in Pittsburgh desperately trying to support her daughter’s education. Unable to pay the private tuition, her daughter, Malia is forced to switch to Adams Elementary, the public school nearby where she struggles in the classroom and receives only criticism and abuse from her dead-beat teacher.

Won't Back Down review - The Marin Scoop

Jamie, driven to make a change no matter what it takes, teams up with Nona (played by Academy-Award Nominee Viola Davis), a mom and teacher at Adams who has lost sight of the great teacher she used to be. After some convincing, Nona joins Jamie for the sake of her son who gets bullied in school for being “slow.” Together they rally parents and teachers in hopes to convince the school board to let them turn Adams around, for the betterment of their kids. It’s a story about fighting for what you believe in, not for selfish reasons, but for sacrificial reasons.

No matter how many obstacles they stumble upon, and despite many temptations to give up, they won’t back down! The whole cast is great, but Gyllenhaal and Davis give outstanding performances. They are believable and relatable. You find yourself rooting for them the whole time. Examples of moms that we should all strive to be –ones who fight to the bitter end for their kids.

Overall, Won’t Back Down revolves around a great script, is extremely well directed and includes a standout cast (which also includes Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez and Ving Rhames). Two minutes into the movie, you are hooked! The film captures your attention immediately and draws you into the story till the end. With a splash of romance, a large dose of hope and a message to make a difference, Won’t Back Down is a movie worth seeing!

Watch in theaters September 28, 2012.

The Marin Scoop aims to provide unbiased editorials. However, I wish to disclose that from time to time I may receive free products or other compensation from companies for blogger reviews.