Friday, September 28, 2012

"Won't Back Down" ... Does it Make the Grade??


Inspired by true events, here is a story of two dedicated and passionate mothers (Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal), one who is also a teacher, who just want what is right for their children as well as the children that they serve in the local Pittsburgh school. Both women face a prevailing and deep-rooted bureaucracy, in which they must risk their careers and their livelihood to make a difference in the education system and for the future of their children.

Entering the film, it has a somewhat central focus on a young elementary school girl named Malia Fitzpatrick (Emily Alyn Lind). Malia is a girl who is struggling in school because she suffers from dyslexia. However, her mother Jamie (Maggie Gyllenhaal), is convinced that her daughter can learn, but that the school she attends is not investing the time to actually teach her. And once she learns how Malia is being secluded and reprimanded for falling behind, instead of being given opportunities to catch up, Jamie takes matters into her own hands. Soon Jamie’s frustrations and complaints lead her to Nona Alberts (Viola Davis), a teacher who spends much of her off-time making sure her own son stays on track, because the school is failing him as well.

As a team, Jamie and Nona come together to devise a plan of action to transform the school. In their quest to unite the community and neighborhood parents, both run into some resistance from fellow teachers, administration, and the school board. Fighting to make a change takes a toll on both women personally and professionally, but against all odds the duo dedicate long days and sleepless nights to make a change for this one particular school.

Both Davis and Gyllenhaal do a pretty decent job of balancing each of their character’s roles. Each actress plays a strong-minded and beleaguered woman who will stop at nothing to reach the end goal. Davis, in particular, cleverly utilizes her body language to convey pride in her work along with the exhaustion that comes with it. And Gyllenhaal pulls off a spunky and eager single mother who makes no excuses and works hard to survive and make the ends meet for her family. In addition to a strong main cast, the supporting cast brings an additional dose of character poise. In an antagonistic role Holly Hunter who plays a Teacher Union administrator offers a true dose of reality. Also child stars Emily Alyn Lind and Dante Brown (Cody Alberts) deliver a child-like innocence that is convincing and refreshing.  The bravery that each of these characters embodies is quite incredible. Whether they were for the creation of a new “dream” school, or whether they stand by the principles laid out in the Teacher’s Union each party stood their ground. Regardless of what side you take one could be compelled to go either direction.

Despite this being a compelling film with good intentions, Won’t Back Down does offer somewhat awkward character moments and a few trivial storylines. This was probably done to add another dimension to the film. Overall, Won’t Back Down is just many other reform stories that we have seen before in many previous films. Even with this being an enjoyable film, I begin to wonder if Hollywood is capable of creating an original story and not a modern day version of Waiting for Superman. However the film is fitting and appropriate considering the recent Teacher’s Strike events in Chicago, IL. 

This film offers a clear message that even with struggles, success can still find its way through. And herein lies an amazing story of what happens when a community commits to a predicament and takes every measure to find a solution. By the end of the film, you can’t help but feel motivated by the strong will and passion that comes from the characters and the story they put on the screen. Won’t Back Down is the type of film that brings an extraordinary message of empowerment and determination, as well as the ability to wake up the sleeping masses. All in all, this film that exhibits what true parenthood, friendship, courage, and hope is through the eyes of dedicated parents, teachers, and community advocates from across the nation. In essence, they “Won’t Back Down!”

Rating: 7.5 out 10 stars

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G-Breezy's Favorite Movies

  • Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum
  • Die Hard series
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Fracture
  • Idlewild
  • Imitation of Life
  • Inside Man
  • James Bond series
  • Love Jones
  • Malcolm X