Won't Back DownMovie Reviews

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Must Go!
Written October 3, 2012
Won't Back Down

by auntynin

Loved the movie, acting, story line etc. I wanted to cry when the little girl couldn't read in class and was laughed at by her peers. I wanted to bang the teacher's head against the wall. I retired from teaching so I know the frustration. Maybe this will encourage more parents fight for what is needed.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 30, 2012
Moderately Entertaining...Characters Not Well Developed.

by Alon Patterson

OK, it's a play after all. So it's fair to suppose the talent's trying to pull off the most realistic portrayal of their characters possible. I get that. It just doesn't work here, due to miscasting and a host of other rookie mistakes. And there's some mighty good talent in this film. It's just too bad a couple were badly matched to their roles, and none were given much to work with in the way of dialog or plot development--the fault of the writers. There's no emotional investment here either for the audience or the cast. Everyone on screen seems like a talking mannequin, more or less, just going through the motions. While this isn't a terrible movie, it's just not all that good. It's worth a matinee ticket at best, or wait for the DVD or stream. You'll be glad you did.
- 10 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 13, 2012
Won't Back Down

by ptinc11

Inspiring, fun, thought-provoking, well-acted. Maggie Gyllenhaal really made this film. She was very appealing. It is a film that the entire family can enjoy. I liked it very much. It provided some good entertainment while addressing the issue wide-spread failure of our public schools to adequately prepare our children to assume a constructive and productive role in society. The issue of excessive influence of teacher's unions was dramaticlly portrayed in a melodramatic fashion. Yes teacher's unions have excessive influence protecting some teachers who should not be in the classroom, but the unions were also painted with a very broad brush as "bad" in general. Those who are strong supporters of teacher;s unions will not appreciate the message of this film and with some justification. In spite of the controversy that is sure to surround it, this film will put a sharp focus on the basic issue of the need to greatly improve the education of our children across the board
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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I'll Pass
Written October 6, 2012
Fake Story - Based on false assumptions - Propaganda like McCarthy Era

by

This story is completely fake and based on a school that doesn't even exist. The entire thing is orchestrated and created by a company that's for profit and into building charter schools. Basically, the whole idea behind this is to use the medium of movies to convince an audience that the charter school movement is a good thing and to make you believe this is real. It's not! The articles I've read indicate there is no information presented that explains how a poor school suddenly got funds to fix itself and it never discusses what changes occur to actually improve the school. If you're a child of the propaganda era - in other words - someone who falls for fake stuff - you'll probably love the brainwashing you'll get by watching this totally fake movie. This is as bad as that silly series about alien abductions where they claimed people were being taken in Alaska...right....I won't waste my cash on this sort of thing. I go to the movies to be entertained..not brainwashed.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written September 30, 2012
Well Worth Seeing

by dergans76

My wife and I went to see Won't Back Down last night, and we were not disappointed. We both thoroughly enjoyed the story of triumph by a mother who wanted the best for her daughter. We also were impressed by the fact that there was very little profanity in the movie. We both highly recommend Won't Back Down.
- 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 9, 2012
A fantastic Movie to see on a mother daughter day or with friends.

by Carolinacutie1127

This movie was truly a great and inspirational story. Being from Pittsburgh, I could relate to the struggles addressed, as far as, the public school system is concerned. I went and saw this with my mother, it made me think of my days as an elementary student with my struggles in math and thanks to a great first grade teacher I am great at math 20 years later. This movie made me think of all the times my mother stood up to teachers and administration within the schools themselves and district personnel. It was truly inspirational and as a teaching student, really helped me realize how hard it is to be a teacher in this day and age, but it also showed how fulfilling a teaching career can be, despite the challenges. I would definitely, give this movie two thumbs up.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written October 5, 2012
WILL HAVE YOU CHEERING AND ENJOYING TWO PERFORMANCES WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION. TWO WOMEN FIGHTING THE "SYSTEM" TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION!

by Peneflix

Viola Davis. Robbed of last year's Academy Award for best actress, is reason enough to see this highly manipulative film about two women who fight the entrenched bureaucracy of the teachers union in Baltimore. The film is fraught with fallacies, and living in a city where the teachers went on strike for a week and a half this past September, the wounds, no longer oozing, have yet to scar. Nevertheless, it was entertaining, heartwarming predictability...

"Won't Back Down" is melodramatic, at times erroneous, sensational, pushing the gamut of emotional buttons; in this instance, buttons that did mind the pressure...

THREE STARS!!!

***For full review please visit peneflix(dot)com!!!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written September 29, 2012
Great performances but needed more emotional impact from the story

by HoodCritic1

I was hoping this movie would have more punch to it regarding it is about a very sensitive current topic in the country. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis really stepped up to the plate and delivered what they were supposed to do in their performances about a struggling mother and teacher who are trying to turn a school around for the benefit of their children and students but I felt that Daniel Barnes didn't contribute enough to make the story resonate with the audience and that is where it fell flat. It was educative more than entertaining and that is where I was disappointed. I liked the movie but I was hoping to love it more. It didn't measure up.
- 11 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 4, 2012
Won't Back Down

by Music Man 50

It was a very good movie. It showed you that when you believe in something and it is for the right, then you go for it risking all costs.

It also showed how when you are not in the clique, how people will try to make you look bad.
- 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 9, 2012
Won't Back Down

by nadineb425

I loved the movie!. The passion the two mothers had was encouraging. Too bad in today's society, you don't see that passion about our children's education where I live. The people who should see this movie won't. This is a movie that everyone should see! I saw teamwork, passion, strength, focus and determination in this film and it has inspired me to focus on my goals and follow what I believe in. A mother's love will give her the strength to do whatever needs to be done for her children. Go see it, you will be inspired also.
- 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written October 6, 2012
BAD BAD BAD

by Napaguy

Wonderful story idea and terrible, boring, lifeless followthrough. This movie drags on and on and is a perfect example of the previews being the ONLY good scenes in the movie. DO NOT waste your money even when it is out on Pay Per View.
- 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Go
Written October 2, 2012
Won't back down -

by senior fan

From the previews I could not wait to see this film, as a former teacher myself with relatives and friends still teaching. Then I read some of the critics responses, especially from the Teachers Union who felt they were mis represented and I began to wonder if this was just more "union" bashing. But I went anyway and I'm glad I did. Yes, it's an over the top message film..but anyone knows we have many broken schools, drop out rates are high and on and on. We know that.
Everyone from Parents to kids to administrators to teachers to government to school boards share in the blame. So I think the Unions criticism is unfair and that's the problem. We all think the other guy is to blame. But the film, if you go, might give you a sliver of hope if it means leaving with a since of empowerment. The question they leave you with is...will you be part of the solution or the problem. Go
- 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 7, 2012
Don't Listen to Critics

by

Both the Times papers are clearly in the Union Pockets. Surprisingly great characters, well developed, crisp believable dialogue and great story. Based on true story makes it even better. Between the bureaucracy of school systems ( ever try to get anything changed in a school district) or the unions intimidation of teachers not to participate. Love the theme empowering as well as challenging parents. Movie much better than expected.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Written October 13, 2012
Won't Back Down

by isaiah27

This movie has all the components of an award winning movie. I believe this is a family movie that everyone should see. Everything from the acting, directing, writing, etc was excellent. It was real with real feelings and emotions. It really is a reality check for those of us who are concerned about our young people. The characters in the movie are so intense and convincing they brought their reality to me. They made me laugh and cry. But the most important lesson to us all is that one person can make a difference! I would recommend this movie to everyone. It was great!
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written October 13, 2012
Extremely thought-provoking

by

I took my daughter and 11-year old grandson to see this well-cast movie. This film should be made available for all schools. It will make you mad but it will also get you thinking about the quality of education in your community.
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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