Freedom Writers (2007)

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 happening. With these characters, the second this teacher comes with her notebooks, it seems that their problems are instantly cured.

And plus, what about Swank's other 5 class periods? November 14, 2008

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. October 30, 2008

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 it IS sad that some countries and societies do not provide sufficient resources for those in most dire need.....

All well and good but in my mind we should look beyond all these obvious
conclusions and instead focus on what we all can do individually to make even the smallest contribution for the greater good and those in need. A movie like this based on a real story should inspire us all to once in a while take the foot off our personal consumption accelerator and spend a bit of time and money on others and through this realize how rewarding giving compared to taking truly can be. In what often seems as dark times learning of what other people have done, big or small, should extend us with a bit of much needed inspiration and lend us a glimmer of hope for the future.

In the current US presidential campaigns one of the two candidates talks about making good education and health care universally available in US (as it is in most of the rest of the so called developed world) and urges all to take a role in making this happen... this is of course immediately shot down as socialism... as a dedicated capitalist myself I see that not as socialism but merely humanism and can only repeat that stories like this one provides inspiration for such a quest ... lets hope he is given a chance to show he can in fact deliver on his beautiful ideas and will live to see them through. And lets try to see beyond the Hollywood packaging and see these stories for what they should be - an inspiration for us all to get engaged. October 30, 2008

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 anything they put their mind too.

The power of Anne Frank and other Holocaust survivors helped them understand that hate is unnecessary for survivial. The students began to believe they could accomplish anything, at a time when most were glad to survive to 18. The movie will make you cry because, it teaches so much about hope and courage.

October 23, 2008

coming home

Freedom Writers is based on the book by Erin Gruwell. The book is made into a movie starring Hillary Swank as a naive teacher who uses freedom-writing diaries to inspire a group of inner-city students. I loved this movie but I didn't see it when it first came out. I thought this movie was going to be another Dangerous Minds but this movie is actually better. I guess I'm a little biased because while the other movie with Michelle Pfeiffer was more realistic, this movie ends on a happier note. She teaches them how to write their problems down and in the end, gains their respect. I've read some of the other reviews and I don't see how this movie has an agenda, except for those who agree that special kids should just be pushed through the system. For anyone that has taught, you will admire the innovative methods used to reach the students. This movie is destined to be a classic.
October 20, 2008

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