Review of Won't Back Down (2012) by Harper S — 08 Oct 2012

One of the most entertaining things about going to the movies is great acting. The script to this film is by no means great, but the acting certainly is. Viola Davis is at the top of her game, and Maggie Gyllenhaal more or less gives us more of the endearing, working-class spunk that got her Oscar nominated for Crazy Heart.

Won't Back Down is about the reality of charter schools, schools that are getting good results where other schools have failed. It's not anti-teacher or anti-student. It acknowledges the positive impact of teacher's unions, but argues the need for reform.

Is it not possible to raise these issues without being accused of "bad politics?" The simplistic ending is no more hokey than most "true-life" Hollywood social dramas in tying-up its loose ends.

For a Sunday afternoon's entertainment, you could do a lot worse.