The script won't win any stars for originality, it's all put across with enough sincerity to make the corn easy to swallow.
Freedom Writers (2007)
Rated: 12A
Runtime: 2 hrs 40 mins
Theatrical Release: 02-03-2007
Synopsis: Based on actual diary accounts of several teenagers following the L.A. riots, FREEDOM WRITERS is the story of an idealistic teacher's attempts to make a difference in the lives of her at-risk students. Located in gang-ravaged Long Beach, California, Woodrow Wilson High is a hotbed of... Based on actual diary accounts of several teenagers following the L.A. riots, FREEDOM WRITERS is the story of an idealistic teacher's attempts to make a difference in the lives of her at-risk students. Located in gang-ravaged Long Beach, California, Woodrow Wilson High is a hotbed of violence due to a voluntary integration program which brings Black, Latino, Asian, and White students together. Rather than having the desired effect of creating healthy diversity, this program breeds constant war between all parties involved, the result being daily gun shots, constant racial slurs, and gang violence. Played largely by young unknowns, the freshman class in question is both naïve and wise beyond its years. While never having heard of the Holocaust, these kids are well-versed in the pain of poverty, the legal system, and death. Despite being up against unthinkable violence, devoted first-time teacher Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank) never gives up, slowly bonding with her class of at-first unreachable pupils, breaking down their tough exteriors and getting at the real people beneath through requiring the students keep daily journals. Meanwhile, a strain is put on Erin's marriage as her student involvement gradually takes priority over her personal life. The intensity with which Erin relates to her work threatens her husband (Patrick Dempsey), who in seeing Erin's transformation, is reminded of his own stagnancy. Thanks to a catalogue of films including STAND AND DELIVER and DANGEROUS MINDS, any film about inspiring teachers risks feeling redundant and preachy. But writer/director Richard LaGravenese manages to put a fresh spin on this already familiar formula thanks to powerful performances by Hillary Swank, Imelda Staunton, and several newcomers. While slightly predictable, FREEDOM WRITERS critiques the public education system in an ultimately moving way. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Robert Wisdom
Screenwriter: Richard LaGravenese
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Composer: Mark Isham
DVD Info
Release:
Oct 5, 2008
Blu-Ray Features:
- Keep Case
- Full Frame- 1.33
Audio:
- (unspecified) - French
- Dolby Digital 2.0 - English, French
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French
- Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Additional Release Material:
- Alternate Scenes - Deleted Scenes
- Behind the Scenes - "Making 'A Dream'"
- Documentaries - "Freedom Writers: The Story Behind the Story"
- Featurettes - "FREEDOM WRITERS Family"
- Trailers - Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
- Scene Selection
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Stills/Photos
Reviews
An Inspirational Teacher Movie that is moving, thought-provoking and succeeds in being genuinely inspiring.
It may only deserve a C for achievement, but it ranks a B+ for effort.
Has its inspiring moments - especially given the true story - and some tense, dramatic scenes amid the speedy montages of confusing gang action.
Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there’s nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers as anything beyond a C+.
While this film has a terrific story, and strong acting anchored by Swank's superb central performance, it's also a little slick and gimmicky
A richly rewarding film experience that rises to the top of its genre.
While it is, like its genre brethren, inspiring and uplifting, Freedom Writers glosses over so much material that it makes the process look too easy.
Ironically, the film features almost zero teaching. Despite much pedagogical posturing, it doesn't teach us much, either.
Worthwhile because of its honesty, because it tells a true story that's worth telling, and because Hilary Swank and company have done it so well.
Is this film formulaic? Yes. Does it accomplish what it set out to do? Yes. ... It's certainly not a perfect movie but it does offer many pleasures.
Swank's earthiness is key here, and she consistently rises above the story's cliches.
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