Hubby and I sat down a few nights ago and watched a brand new DVD release. The movie was called “Won’t Back Down” and it was just released for purchase on January 15th, 2013. Here is some information about it.
Movie Synopsis: Oscar® Nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis lead a stellar cast in this empowering drama inspired by actual events. Hard-working single mom Jamie Fitzpatrick (Gyllenhaal) is concerned that John Adams Elementary is letting her daughter down. Teaming with a caring teacher (Davis) who wants the best future for her own son, she sets out to improve attitudes and elevate the school’s academic standards. Despite the odds, with courage, hope and persistence, the women just might prevail in this uplifting film that also stars Rosie Perez and Academy Award® Winner Holly Hunter.
My Thoughts: I am usually not attracted to this type of movie but for some reason, this one interested me. The story line is about a mother named Jamie Fitzpatrick who is a single mother raising a beautiful daughter. The daughter attends a school called John Adams Elementary which is full of a bunch of teachers who don’t really care and are there to just collect a pay check. Furthermore, the teachers who do care about education are too afraid to “speak up” thanks to the teacher’s union. Those teachers are afraid of losing their jobs if they jump onto the bandwagon of improving learning and education in the John Adams Elementary School.
Mommy Fitzpatrick teams up with one of the teachers named Ms. Davis to make a change in the school to improve things. The two of them meet a lot of resistance from fellow educators, the teacher’s union, etc. The women take things into the own hands and finally, after a lot of hard work and dedication, things in the school change and improve.
I have a grand daughter who attends a local preschool and it is scary to think that there are teachers out there in our school systems who don’t give a lick about teaching our kids. ugh! This movie was a real eye-opener to me as a grand parent and trust me, I am going to give the DVD to my daughter so she can be aware of some of these school problems. I want the best education that we can get for my little grand daughter.
Overall, I thought this was a fabulous movie! The story line was well-written and relates very well with issues that are currently going on in many school systems across the country. The acting was fantastic and right on-point. I give this movie an 8 out of 10 stars and if you are a parent, grand parent or an educator, this is a must-see movie for you!
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Disclaimer: Shelly has personally reviewed the product listed above. Shelly has not received any monetary compensation for her review. Shelly did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ. Two Classy Chics is not responsible for delivery of any giveaway items won from this blog. Thanks!
This movie has generated contoversy, but that will help (I hope) energize school to do more. I don’t understand why the teacher’s union was resisting the deisre to improve. I guess I shall have to watch the movie!!
Whether the film’s protesters know it or not, they are spectacular foils for Won’t Back Down. Between the teachers unions carping that the movie is unfair and activists claiming that giving parents more power is akin to privatization, the critics have succeeded in turning a forgettable education story into a national conversation piece. That’s for the good. Because whatever you think of the film or of the idea of parent triggers as public policy, the plight of families trapped year after year in unacceptable schools is far more gut-wrenching than anything Hollywood could cook up.