Product Description: A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance apply themselves & pursue education beyond high school. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 08/21/2007 Starring: Hilary Swank Scott Glenn Run time: 122 minutes Rating: Pg13
Amazon.com: Though the 'inspirational teacher' theme may feel done to death, Freedom Writers succeeds because it emphasizes the students as much as the teacher. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry) comes to a southern California high school bubbling over with naive optimism, but quickly discovers that her unruly classroom isn't easily won over by her good intentions. After a few floundering attempts to connect with her students, Gruwell gives them the assignment of keeping journals about their own lives--an assignment that the class bites into with relish, which eventually bonds them together and pushes racial rivalries aside. This plotline has been made before, sometimes well, sometimes poorly; Freedom Writers, by drawing heavily from the published journals of the students--and thanks to a (mostly) unheroic script, direction that emphasizes individual characters over stereotypes, and rigorous performances from the whole cast--makes the story seem fresh and genuine. Swank does solid work, but the standouts are April L. Hernandez as a girl whose gang wants her to lie and send an innocent boy to jail and Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) as a teacher who resents Gruwell's offbeat success. Also featuring Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Scott Glenn (The Right Stuff), and a plethora of strong young actors. --Bret Fetzer
Beyond Freedom Writers
More Inspirational Teacher Films on DVD
The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell
More DVDs Starring Hilary Swank
Stills from Freedom Writers (click for larger image)
Digital Life Reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - a noble cause, yes.....(1.5 stars)
A noble cause, yes; this is a story that had to be told. But it also had to be told in an effective way, which is what this movie tried to be, effective. The problem is: IT TRIES WAY TOO HARD. Throughout the entire movie, you're hit with images, and direction choices that really seem forced to be powerful. The only truly powerful moments, the trip to the Holocaust museum and the arrival of Miep Gies(two scenes that are nearly tear-jerking), are overshadowed by everything that isn't powerful in this two-hour soap opera.
As an added note, these characters have forgetfulness issues, so it seems. Swank's character went through a horrible divorce, one scene shows with her crying about it, and for the rest of the movie, it seems like it never happened. A similar thing occurred with the character of Eva, with her supposed alienation and hatred put upon her my her Latino community, often seems like it's not ... Read More
Rating: - wonderfully inspiring
If you liked *Stand by Me* and *Dangerous Minds*, then you'll love *Freedom Writers*. This movie is about a teacher, Erin Gruwell, new and naive, determined to make a difference in the lives of her students. Immediately, she faces scorns from her jaded peers who have been teaching for years. Meanwhile, we, as viewers, see different scenarios that students face in and outside of the classroom.
Gruwell's persistance pays off...but with a price. Her marriage has dissolved. She's alienated from her colleagues. However, her reaped reward is when students start to share their personal journals, chronicling their gritty lives with her, as well as giving her respect.
*Freedom Writers* is inspiring. You'll laugh, cry, gasp and be in awe in the beauty of it all.
Rating: - Why dont we see beyond the obvious for once?
Having just seen the movie I again turned to Amazon to see the views expressed by others. As often it was an amazing spread from people claiming it changed their lives forever to others using it to express radical views on the holocaust, jews, Hollywood, the teaching profession etc.
Let me first of all say I found it a thoroughly delightful movie with excellent acting performances particularly by several of the talented kids. Many point out the theme is not at all new which I can of course only concur. Others felt it was depicting a too rosy unrealistic view on the reality in the schools of the troubled neighborhoods in the US inner cities - for sure for the majority of all students someone like Hilary
Swanks character is nothing but a distant dream. Yet others took personal offense to the fact that she took on additional jobs to pay for the kids she felt were in most dire need.... clearly ... Read More
Rating: - Impactful
Forced Integration does not work. Forced integration in the school system creates a reform environment similar to prison. Groups segregate by race and protect territories.
Based on a true story. The teacher brought peace to her classroom. She requested the students tell their story. The students felt understood and respected the teacher. She helped the students feel safe in the classroom, a home, and refuge.
The school operates like a prison. Students are told that they are smart and should have an education, but resources withheld. 5th grade reading levels, high drop out rates, and territory violence characterize these highschool students. They live in a jungle, in fear, and according to tribe rules. The teacher risks her career with fund raisers, innovative activities, a visit to the holocaust museum, and dinner at an expensive restraunt. The message, the students can do ... Read More
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- a noble cause, yes.....(1.5 stars)
- wonderfully inspiring
- Why dont we see beyond the obvious for once?
