FILM: Won’t Back Down (PG)

A hard-working mother grows tired of the failings of her daughter’s school and decides to take matters into her own hands in director Daniel Barnz’s emotionally manipulative drama, which is loosely based on real-life events.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Jan 2013, 17:00 BST

Jamie Fitzpatrick (Maggie Gyllenhaal) juggles two jobs - selling cars and tending bars - to make sure her beloved Malia (Emily Alyn Lind) has the best start in life.

Unfortunately, Malia’s school, Adams Elementary, is failing the youngster and her classmates.

In order to make sweeping changes, Jamie wants to invoke a fail-safe law, which requires 50% of the parents signing up to her crusade as well as some of the staff.

While Malia’s teacher Deborah (Nancy Bach) turns her back on Jamie and her noble crusade, colleague Nona Alberts (Viola Davis) joins the call to arms and risks losing her job to make a difference in the deeply flawed education system.

Released: January 25 (UK & Ireland, selected cinemas), 121 mins