Metacritic Movie Ratings
Won't Back Down Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 83

  out of 100

  Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman

  Won't Back Down says that whatever your feelings about the subject, lack of change cannot be the answer to our public-education crisis. Trying to cram an informational exposé and a vintage inspirational awards-bait weeper into one movie, Won't Back Down is awkward at times, yet it's also passionate in a surprisingly smart way. It makes a genuine drama out of impossible issues.

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• 63

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  While there are moments where this drama, about a pair of mothers hellbent on improving their children's education, is compelling and deeply moving, the film gets mired in heavy-handed cliches.

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• 50

  out of 100

  Variety

  Grossly oversimplifying the issue at hand, writer-director Daniel Barnz's disingenuous pot-stirrer plays to audiences' emotions rather than their intelligence, offering meaty roles for Maggie Gyllenhaal as a determined single mom, and Viola Davis as the good egg among a rotten batch of teachers, while reducing everyone else to cardboard characterizations.

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• 50

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  Both the lottery scene and the anti-union material seem to be fictionalized versions of material in the powerful documentary "Waiting for Superman," which covered similar material with infinitely greater depth.

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• 50

  out of 100

  Village VoiceMelissa Anderson

  In Davis's case, marveling at yet another fine performance doesn't stop you from wishing that her first leading role was in a worthier vehicle

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• 50

  out of 100

  The Hollywood Reporter

  The movie addresses timely issues but eschews shading in favor of blunt black and white. It's old-school Lifetime fodder dressed up in Hollywood trappings.

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• 30

  out of 100

  The New York TimesA.O. Scott

  However you take its politics, the film upholds a dreary tradition of simplifying and sentimentalizing matters of serious social concern, and dumbing down issues that call for clarity and creative thinking. Our children deserve better.

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• 20

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  This poor film is so shamelessly manipulative and hopelessly bogus it will make you bite your tongue in regret and despair.

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See all Won't Back Down movie reviews at Metacritic.com