Marc Mohan (25 May 2013)

What makes Freedom Writers work is the very thing that makes it seem like a drag: predictable inspiration.

(25 May 2013)

True Story

Watch the "special features/extras" on the DVD, and you'll discover that this is based on a true story. And, Swank and the real teacher met.Yes, it is another "inspirational teacher makes a difference" movie, but this is one of the better ones of this ilk. Plus, I like them anyway. Having worked with "troubled youth," both as a mentor and as a teacher, I'd say this teacher understood pretty well. Bravo to the teacher for bucking the "system" that would have just passed these kids off as lost causes. There's a bit of each of these kids in all of us, if we'd stop and look.

(24 May 2013)

LOVED IT!

This movie is awesome!Seriously, if you'll let it, it can be life changing....or at least MAKE you want to go out into this big ole world and change it!

(23 May 2013)

Freedom Writers

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) This awe-inspiring true story was well-cast and well-acted. The bonus material made this DVD even more worthwhile.

(21 May 2013)

Freedom Writers DVD

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Freedom Writers is a great movie. It accurately portrays the problem of gang violence in schools and neighborhoods. In addition, it gives one hope that, with effort, teachers and others can help students understand the negative effects of gang membership.

westfield-john (21 May 2013)

Wonderful Pins!

Well, what Pins? Those of Mrs.Swank. Yes, this is my opinion. If youlike females with gorgeous legs, then watch Freedom Writers. Whilewatching this film I said to myself, what spectacular view beneathMrs.Swanks unbelievable slim waist. Such a nice and lovely teacher, Iregret not being at school anymore. But, as a matter of fact leg loversonly play a small part in Freedom writers. Not that I havemisunderstood this film, its just....: I guess Hilary Swank strainedherself more for having nice legs than for being prepared to play thisrole. And we all know what Ms.Swank is capable of, not referring to herlegs but her acting. To resolve this, Mrs.Swank had no clue how to playthis role, neither was she willing to use any of her outstandingabilities for playing this teacher. Its sad to see that even such abrilliant actress fails in this certain role. Yes, for me it justseemed like she was stressed out, always having people around her, whoexpect some outstanding work, and I guess this time she said toherself: "..you can kiss my rear unit..." Perhaps someday she'll play ayoung Hollywood actress having a simple life crisis; while shes tryingto resolve this conflict by performing excessively, she doesn't realizehow uninspired her acting becomes. A devastating Catch-22 begins...

(19 May 2013)

Best January Release in Years

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) Hilary Swank gives another bravura performance as a teacher trying toreach ghetto teens who would rather fight than learn. The formula hasbeen done many times, but this one really was powerful, and by the endit came across as a very good film. It really offered some new ideasfor reaching hard to help students, both socially and academically. Ifyou stayed away from this film because it came out in January, rent itor buy it and see why I think it was among that years better pictures.

(18 May 2013)

The Hollywood Classroom

Why is it that when we see the "inspirational teacher" movie, the teacher only ever seems to teach one class per day? Early on in the film, we hear that Erin/Hillary is to have 150 students. What befalls the other 130 not profiled in this film? Did they all fit into two cars to go to the Wiesenthal Center? Did Ms. G have to read 150 journals per night while working two extra jobs? It detracts from the power of a truly inspirational story to present it in such an unrealistic way. Give me "Stand and Deliver" over the warm melodramatic glow of this film anyday.

(15 May 2013)

Making A Difference

This review is from: FREEDOM WRITERS (DVD) This movie is the best school based, educational , eye-opening, realistic, faith-filled, hopefull, optimistic, give it your all movie. when a movie can make my man shed tears more than me. ....message received loud and clear. It gave me some honor that that same name, Ms. G was called in the movie, so am I with children I work with. My guy even said " Mz. Gee loves the kids". I do and can relate. WONDERFUL ALL THE WAY TO THE END.

Kim Voynar (15 May 2013)

Gruwell has done more meaningful work than any of the critics who will brush off her story as sentimental and predictable, and LaGravenese and Swank ... do the story of the real Freedom Writers justice.

McBitter (13 May 2013)

Spirit Booster

This film was terrific! Very good! The acting by everyone, especiallyby Hilary Swank, was great. If you are in the mood for an inspirationalfilm than you should go see this film. It puts you in a really goodmood and makes you feel great! 'Freedom Writers' was filled with drama,humor, and more. It was a really nice film and a must see. 'FreedomWriters', has something for everybody. It is a film that people willlove no matter what and who they are. A++++++ **** Go see this greatfilm! It will literally set you in a good mood. P.S. It will probablymake you cry so bring that special tissue box used for whatever yourtears need!

(13 May 2013)

Very Good But Could Be Better with More Time on Refreshing Younger Cast

There are similar films out there, the story about dedicating teacher and rebellious students - my vote always goes to "To Sir, with Love" and great Sidney Poitier, but more recently we have seen equally wonderful "Stand and Deliver." Some may remember "Dangerous Minds" and "Take the Lead." "Freedom Writers," inspirational story based on the real life of Erin Gruwell, follows the struggles of the young teacher who encourages the unruly students in her English class to overcome their racial prejudices and respect the lives of others by giving them one assignment -- writing journals.The plot itself is a rather predictable one, but that is not a big problem. For all its formulaic story, the film is made with sincerity and has surprisingly tense moments too. Imelda Staunton ("Vera Drake") appears as fellow teacher criticizing Erin's method, but despite her solid acting, her character is one-dimensional.It may be Hilary Swank's name that would attract most of the viewers, but I for one am quite more impressed with the younger cast of "Freedom Writers" including April Lee Hernandez and Mario. This is not to say Ms. Swank's acting is ineffective, but I sincerely wish that writer-turned-director Richard LaGravenese (his most famous work as writer is my favorite "The Fisher King") had spent more time on the life of these young high school students. And Patrick Dempsey is wasted as Erin's husband.The last two complaints are the reason I only give three stars. As to the younger cast whose talent is refreshing and remarkable, they deserve full five stars.

Jim Slotek (12 May 2013)

Freedom Writers' heart is in the right place, and for many that will be enough.

Kit Bowen (12 May 2013)

At times, Freedom Writers invokes genuine emotions, but this derivative teacher-inspires-troubled-kids movie mostly just pries your eyes open and jerks the tears out.

(11 May 2013)

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.

freeseit (11 May 2013)

The movie showed what many teachers are doing daily in the classroom.

True to life movie stories are difficult to grade on a scale of 1 to10. But, watching this show brought back many memories about educationin America. Programmed packaged type teaching is the preferred methodfor many school systems. How we learn in a fragmented high schoolsystem is always a current issue in the news. The method of teachingthe lesson is not always the choice of the teacher. Teachers work for aschool system and are told what and how to teach. Most of the timethere is not much freedom for teachers in a high school setting. It canbe a very long and sad and boring and lonely day in a classroom withoutgradual student transforms. The establishment does want results fromthe students and teachers. But, a featured movie can show that oneteacher, alone can make a difference to some people. So, there maybesomething wrong with the educational system and not that Englishteacher. Good luck and have a great day to all teachers.

(10 May 2013)

Urban school drama, give and get respect.

This movie was realistic and sometimes hard to watch. A gritty urban school drama, about a teacher that really cared enough to make a difference. A couple of things though, I thought that the charecters of the kids ,came around to her side too fast and that seemed like a part that was missing or underdeveloped. Teaching a class of inner city kids about the Holocaust seems like a good idea, but there again it seemed like the kids were interested and or moved too quickly. I have a sinking suspicion that this part of the movie, may have been underdeveloped for time and pacing. The part of Patrick Dempsey was one I could relate to. She didn't give him enough time and devoted all of her time to the students, but that was what she loved and she really made huge impact on thier lives. Sometimes rebellious kids are really in need of love and respect to straighten out. I think that part of the films message, give people respect is a timely message.We all need to treat each other gently.

Philby-3 (09 May 2013)

Erin beats the system, but no damages this time

This is the latest in a long line of "teacher features" – "Good-bye MrChips", "To Sir With Love", "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", "DeadPoets' Society" etc. In these films the teacher is the hero or heroine,often coming to some disadvantaged school and taking over a classdismissed by the timeservers as hopeless, and producing sparklingresults. The strength of this movie, which is based on fact, is not somuch in the performance of the "heroine" teacher (which is all onecould ask for) but in the focus on the pupils themselves. They comefrom such disturbed backgrounds from the Long Beach, California, of theearly 90s it is a wonder some of them are still alive, let alone atschool. Many have lost brothers and sisters in gang warfare, beenabused by police, mistreated by their parents and generally neglected.But when Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), provoked by the manifest racismin the class, gets them to write about themselves, their attitudechanges from surly distain to an eagerness to learn.Naturally Ms Gruwell strikes the usual obstacles – threatened otherteachers, lack of money (she takes on extra jobs to pay for schoolmaterials), skeptical management, though not much parental oppositionas many are dead, or in jail. Her own family is not supportive – infact her "neglected" husband eventually leaves her – though her fatherat least has the decency to congratulate her when she succeeds. But sheand the kids triumph over all of that and the kid's writing iseventually published (not to mention the feature film).Once you do see what the kids are up against it is impossible not tofeel the profoundest sympathy for them. Ms Gruwell's greatestachievement is to bring them to the realization that they are all –black, latino, Asian - brothers and sisters beneath the skin. At theend it is difficult for them to let go, but they are emotionally inimmeasurably better shape than on the day she walked in to the classtwo years earlier.Of course Ms Gruwell is not without her critics, particularly Margaret(Imelda Staunton) her head of department and Brian (John Hickey),another English teacher (the latter a true prick, in my opinion –though both look like composite characters). They do have a point; in alarge public education system the goal has to be the greatest good forthe greatest number, and some are going to be left behind because theirneeds are too great. But Ms Gruwell does show that even meagerresources can make a difference, if intelligently deployed, and thehigher management has the sense not to intervene. Maybe she is going towind up with her graduates the best writers in jail, but even that's anachievement, considering their background. The photo at the end of thepicture suggests a great number of them survived and even thrived.Hilary Swank, who has the best eager beaver manner in the business, ispretty well definitive as Erin, but some of the kids are stunning aswell, particularly April Hernandez as Eva, the hardest nut to crack,Jason Finn as Marcus and Deance Wyatt as Jamal. They are a bit old fortheir parts (the kids were meant to be about 16) but their convictioncarries them through. Some of them are non-professionals but as a groupthey are terrific.This will not doubt not be the last teacher feature to be made but itwill go down as one of the better ones. The real hero here iseducation, or enlightenment, a hero whose praises we cannot singenough.

(07 May 2013)

Freedom Writers

This review is from: Freedom Writers (Full Screen Edition) (DVD) I was impressed with the quality of the acting and the story. It was especially meaningful since it was based on a real-life situation. The story appeared to succintly capture the essence of the original real-life drama by adequately covering the highlights.

Kevin Crust (07 May 2013)

Swank shows that in the right role her unusually disarming talent can elevate routine material.