"Won't Back Down" follows two mothers, Jamie (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Nona (Viola Davis), who are dissatisfied with the condition of the school Jamie's daughter attends and Nona teaches. Jamie begins the process for parents to takeover the school and make significant changes. She convinces Nona to join her but the two are up against a formidable foe in both the teacher's union and the local bureaucracy.
This film features two good actresses (Gyllenhaal and Davis), who have great chemistry together. Also a good supporting turn by Holly Hunter. I think my problem with this film is the great over-simplification of education reform to the point where the film plays like a promotional piece for Parent Trigger laws. Aside from the two main characters, everyone else is 1-dimensional and obviously in the way of reform. I'd rather see something more well-rounded with more than one point of view when there's so much at stake.
See it for the acting, not for a well-rounded debate: C-
predictable movie, enjoyed Gyllenhaal and Davis who are always good
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