Freedom Writers (2007)

I love this movie so much

Too much of everything

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I recently read a book called "The Element" by Robinson, and he described how much your life changed once you found the one thing that really did it for you. In a way, Freedom Writers is similar: the story of a teacher who takes a class of uninterested teenage student in a disadvantaged neighborhood and is made to believe by her fellow teachers that no amount of effort is going to make them change their ways. However, behind her fragile looks stands a girl who is willing to sacrifice her personal life to get the best out of her students. While the movie didn't manage to hook me, it is easy to watch. Somehow, if I was to pick, I would rather watch…, a similar movie featuring Matthew Perry based on true events, that I found a lot more entertaining.

Freedom WritersBased on a true story, Freedom Writers follows the story of a young high school English teacher, Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank, who takes on the job of teaching troubled teens in a Long Beach, California high school. Woodrow Wilson High School, which just two years before, had created an integration program, was suffering from the concept of kids simply getting left behind because of their economic status and their race. Gruwell would be joining a staff of teachers that had already given up on these students before they had even walked into the classroom. Coming from a wealthy upbringing, Gruwell enters her new job as somewhat naive about the lives these troubled teens were living outside of school. In a classroom exercise, she quickly learns that many of her misunderstood students have had someone in their lives killed from gang violence. Gruwell's classroom is immediately divided by racial tension amongst the students. After initiating an open discussion about a recent shooting, Gruwell begins to understand the circumstances that her students are up against. She also quickly learns that these students have so much to say. With this, she assigns a writing project where each of her students is given a journal to freely write about anything that they want. As the year goes on the students begin to turn to Mrs. Gruwell about their problems as their bond with one another strengthens. Throughout the school year, the students' education requires more and more. Being that the school isn't particularly concerned with these specific students, Gruwell can't get the funding, for things like computers, so she takes it upon herself to provide for these less fortunate students. In doing so, she attains part time jobs in order to afford these things. By the end of the year, Gruwell has developed an extremely strong bond with her students and becomes an outlet for each and every one of them. Although this story of discrimination and denial of education is one that is told often, Freedom Writers is one movie that audiences will never get tired of. Movies dealing with race, such as Coach Carter or Remember the Titans, are able to get through to the audience because of the personal relationships on screen that you almost begin to feel like you are a part of. With each individual student's story, we begin to see more and more into the life of an underprivileged and overlooked teen of an urban high school. These students were wrongfully denied an education because not much was expected of them just because of the color of their skin. This storyline is one that occurs way too often in what is now a society that should be well past racial and socio economic discrimination. Americans need to continue to be reminded of the on going level of prejudice that still exists and Freedom Writers is able to do just that. By the end of this movie, viewers are given a definitive sense of hope. A sense that fighting for something, even if there's nothing in it for you, is still worth it. Mrs. Gruwell is able to single handedly change each of her student's lives in a dramatic way just by simply giving them a chance that others wouldn't. Gruwell believed that these kids all deserved an opportunity at an education and at a better life. Along with teaching her students about poetry and literature, Mrs. Gruwell was also able to teach these kids to fight for what they believed in and for what they deserved.Freedom Writers is able to distinctly show the power of an education to young viewers. In a time where education is taken for granted by privileged children, this movie is able to blatantly show that not everyone is easily given an education. These students, with the help of Mrs. Gruwell, had to fight for what they so rightfully deserved a shot at. It's bad enough that kids, like these in Freedom Writers, have to worry about where their next meal will be coming from, they should at least not have to worry about where their education is going to come from.The affect that this movie can have on one can be quite powerful. These affects will definitely be different depending on who is watching in the audience. As an underprivileged youth, this movie could give one a sense of hope that their life can improve, especially when the power of education is involved. It could show them that their future isn't defined by the color of their skin or any other characteristics for that matter. On the other hand, Freedom Writers could have a very different affect on someone who is more privileged. For someone who is able to easily attain an education, this movie would show him or her that not everyone is as lucky as they are. That education isn't something that is just handed out. Some people have to actually fight for it. It would teach them to be grateful for what they have and more aware of the society that we live in. It would also show someone the influence that they could have upon someone else's life simply by believing in him or her.Overall, Freedom Writers is a realistic movie that members of all different backgrounds could learn valuable and important lessons from. Along with the lessons, is the fact that this is simply an emotionally enjoyable movie for audiences of different ages.

Freedom Writers is a great inside look at the struggle kids had to face in the aftermath of Rodney King and the race riots. In the early 90's, these kids grew up on gang violence and racism and everyone had their own group such as blacks, whites, Cambodians, Mexicans, and so on. This film is an emotional take on the tale of reform against the odds. By the end of the film, no matter your masculinity, you won't have a dry eye. Whilst the outcome may or may not be predictable, it's the way the battle is fought that truly defines this underrated drama.Richard LaGravanese's film is about a first-year white teacher named Erin Gruwell who is appalled at the lack of education her students receive. Despite receiving backlash from everyone in her life such as her father, her husband, and her boss, Gruwell decides to make an education a priority for her students. While not well-received at first, noticeable changes are soon to come.Hilary Swank comes really close to beating her best performance to date which is her role in 2004's Million Dollar Baby. Swank possesses the determination to make her role work and through her character, we can see the importance of equal education to everyone. I liked April Lee Hernandez as Eva, one of Erin's students. She is so determined to hold her ground and survive. Imelda Staunton is good at playing the bad guy, though we can sort of sympathize with her character's plight.Overall, Freedom Writers is a great movie that has a main theme in that everyone deserves an equal education. It's formulaic in parts, but nothing a strong, well-written script cannot fix. I like how they incorporate the themes of the Holocaust in the film because it's similar to what these teens face. The Diary of Anne Frank is an excellent memoir and it is the perfect book for the film to use. This movie defines survival and how these teens fight their own wars in the streets. But the simple message is: education is survival. I rate this film 9/10.

In contrast to many screenplays that tell ordinary stories or picture an unnecessary personal imagination, here the screenwriter touches socially important concerns. It is absolutely necessary that someone bring to people's attention that "hey, there are millions of people out there who fight every minute of their lives, just to survive". Public awareness needs to be raised and art is the most effective way. A good artist sees a situation from different angles and subsequently gets inspired to create something new with constructive consequences. This artistic screenplay, apart from demonstrating many social obstacles faced by a large number of families throughout the nation, highlights other concerns such as poorly designed education system. People should be approached and educated differently. Irrespective to how hard we are working, how much conflict we are facing every day, we should learn from the students of room number 203, to wear a kind smile on our face.