‘Won’t Back Down” for Best Picture?
Why not? The school-based drama, which opened last weekend, boasts a sterling cast, including Academy Award nominees Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
More important, it sends a valuable message about US schools — and unions.
Indeed, that it’s drawn the acid-laced enmity of American Federation of Teachers boss Randi Weingarten tells you all you need to know: Give this flick an Oscar now.
In certain ways, “Won’t Back Down” is a conventional story. It involves a fiery young mom (Gyllenhaal) whose attempt to improve her dyslexic daughter’s failing school runs afoul of the “establishment” — in particular, a recalcitrant teachers union and a lunkheaded principal.
Davis plays a teacher at the school who, ironically, wants to help Gyllenhaal’s character assert parental control and transform it into a charter school. Davis well knows what a difference that could make.
Weingarten gave the film a big thumbs-down in an open letter: “Using the most blatant stereotypes and caricatures I have ever seen . . . the film affixes blame on the wrong culprit: America’s teachers unions.”
But the unions — including New York City’s United Federation of Teachers, where Weingarten was once president — have long blocked charters and countless other pro-student reforms.
Her UFT successor, Mike Mulgrew, has carried on that tradition, most recently nixing any teacher-evaluation system in the city that has real teeth.
In a recent interview, Gyllenhaal — who considers herself a “progressive lefty” — expressed surprise at the union’s hostility and its protests at the premiere.
“I fundamentally, wholeheartedly support unions,” she said. “At the same time, I feel it’s important to criticize the things that aren’t working inside any institution.”
Actually, the problem may be more fundamental than she realizes: Weingarten, Mulgrew and other teachers-union bosses have different constituents than parents and the public. Unions aren’t designed to put kids first — but members.
Sometimes the two groups’ interests conflict.
Hollywood, of course, isn’t known for rewarding causes outside the left-wing orthodoxy — like those that take on unions.
So don’t be surprised if “Won’t Back Down” is passed over come award time.
Nonetheless, it deserves an Oscar — for its useful political message, if nothing else.