Latest reviews about Freedom Writers

adrianatns says "Wonderful movie, wonderful teacher, wonderful students!" about Freedom Writers

adrianatns — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:00:06 GMT

Freedom Writers is an incredible movie. I watched it with my 11-year-old daughter. At the beiginning we were really scared by the reality the movie showed, mainly because it was real. Then, we witnessed the amazing evolution of the story, how a single person can be such a positive turning point in the life of young people. Gruwell is a committed teacher, a generous person, a dedicated professional. She loves what she does and demonstrate how love and intelligence together can change the world for better.

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halsteadjt says "Inspiring..." about Freedom Writers

halsteadjt — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:58:21 GMT

We watched Freedom Writers on a flight from the East to West Coast and it not only held my attention, but that of my 12 year old daughter who found the story inspiring. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a little bit of hope in the world.

I am not a big fan of Hilary Swank, but found the performances of the kids a definite plus over my adversion to Ms. Swank. While I felt it was a little stereotypical about the white teacher coming in to save the African American students, at the same time, it did illustrate a true story in which that white teacher definitely was "educated" by her black students.

The violence was minimal but necessary to define the world of the kids. I would have liked to learn more about the lives of the kids after the period of the film, not just the teacher.

All in all, it was a nice little film with a positive message. A tribute to teachers who stand up for their students....

Angie1965 says "Freedom Writers - Hope for our kids!" about Freedom Writers

Angie1965 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:04:26 GMT

Freedom Writers - a vision of hope for our youth! Whether you live in Georgia or California - unless your child goes to a private school, or attends a predominantly "white" school - this movie provides insight into what our children are presented with daily. Such a large percentage of todays youth come from single-parent homes, and are not raised to beleive they can do anything or be anything they want to be. When I was growing up - that was what I was told - a large majority of kids are just "getting by" - barely making it out of high school. So many parents, blame the teachers, the education system and whoever else they can for the lack of success, concerning their children. This movie showed that one person can make a difference but, everyone needs to work together and the education system is not all to blame. Good movie - inspirational!...

LoveisJoy says "Because Knowledge is Freedom" about Freedom Writers

LoveisJoy — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:16:33 GMT

I was prepared to mock this movie as cheesy, formulaic and self-congratulatory (which in many respects it is). However, I was not prepared to be truly touched by the story of hope, resilience, and redemption. Freedom Writers, starring the talented Hilary Swank, was a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Hilary Swank stars as the title character, Erin Gruell - a neophyte high school teacher with ambitious goals for her wrong-side-of-the-track students. Swank brings such a genuine spirit to her portrayal that you are automatically rooting for her success even though you know she'll have assorted obstacles to conquer along the way.

Based on a true story, the movie somehow manages to feel predictable, stereotypical and cheesy. It is to the actors' credit that they collectively transcend the hokey storytelling to reveal the humanity of the characters within.

Even though I could easily predict the outcome of some the obstacles, I still found tears welling up in my eyes at various points through...

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TheBard says "Ms. Swank turns in an inspirational and moving performance " about Freedom Writers

TheBard — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:14:02 GMT

Bottom-Line: The Freedom Writers is worthwhile because it tells a true story that's well worth telling, because it is (mostly) honest...

Ignorance: lack of knowledge or education. Ignorance (and the hatred it give birth to) is at the root of racism and bigotry and the source of so much human strife and suffering. In the case of The Freedom Writers (2007) ignorance led to misconceptions, lack of understanding and condemnation of a group of (colored) kids no one wanted to teach. And ignorance led the children themselves to mistrust everything and everyone around them. But in the end knowledge and understanding, tolerance and acceptance, and the selflessness of one teacher who believed in them tempered ignorance enough for them to succeed.

My Viewpoints

The Freedom Writers gets its name from the book the students put together based on the diaries Ms. Gruwell had the student keep. The book called The Freedom Writers Diary-a New York Times Best Seller-was published in 1999 chronicles...

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KATLVR says "Inspiring" about Freedom Writers

KATLVR — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:07:14 GMT

This is an inspiring and educational film for both parents and their children to see together. It brings understanding about everyday people, racism and how society can effect our children. Teachers have such a big inpact and influence on our childrens lives as this teacher has. Hillary swank and all the actors in this film gets two thumbs up....

onlyme031 says "Inspirational" about Freedom Writers

onlyme031 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:13:18 GMT

This book is amazing. The story is so inspirational. This story just goes to show you that it only takes one person to make a difference in someones life. It also goes to show how lazy and selfish society has become. This is a must read book for everyone!

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karen6977 says "Full of heart." about Freedom Writers

karen6977 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:54:34 GMT

I was pleasantly surprised at how incredible this movie was. I was dismayed at the brutal reality of it, however, I saw hope just as the teacher did. Stellar performances and incredible writing. The movie left me with the feeling of wanting to do more because seeing what one person did for so many kids made me realize I could change someone's life for the better....

Princesskt2482 says "Very uplifting and refreshing" about Freedom Writers

Princesskt2482 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:59:46 GMT

This is probably one of my top three movies I have ever watched. It was very inspirational, very believable, and very moving. I would recommend this movie to absolutely anyone, I think that all people could take something good from this movie....

LauraBelle says "One Word: Inspirational" about Freedom Writers

LauraBelle — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:32:03 GMT

Apparently it's not easy being the child of a film and television reviewer. I get the expected eye roll every time I tell my son I have something I want him to see and that I think he'll like it. He knows it's either a TV show or a film with some type of inspirational message. I keep thinking one of these times, the messages are going to sink in. I did that with the film Freedom Writers, dragging him to see it, and in essence the teacher in the film does much the same thing with her students.

Hillary Swank stars as a new teacher with hopes and dreams about what she will accomplish in her new job. She wants to inspire, and she expects everyone to love her and do well. The problem is, she is placed in an inner city school with modern day Sweathogs, kids that gave up on life a long time ago, and only seem to go to school for the social effect. They're absolutely floored that their new teacher actually expects them to do some type of work.

Yet, just as I won't give up on giving my son inspirational......

munchielee says "This movie has it all!!" about Freedom Writers

munchielee — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:26:58 GMT

This movie starts off just like the rest. Then bam you have one thing going on over here then another thing going on over there. A lot to take in and I like that. It was a great insite in to the lives of others and the way my generation saw things compared to outsiders....

heartache30 says "Excellent" about Freedom Writers

heartache30 — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:23:54 GMT

I would recomend this movie. The Freedom Writers was an excellent movie. At first she hiliary had trouble getting the kids attention, but once she did it was great. This movie was sad at times but made u laugh and cry . I loved it when they tried to get rid of hiliary as a teacher and the kids stuck up for her. Was a very encouraging movie. showed where she got some kids out of gangs and off the streets. she showed the kids that they could do whatever they set their mind to. I watch this movie four times now and i still cant get enough....

intotheforrest says "Fantastic..." about Freedom Writers

intotheforrest — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 09:42:06 GMT

Because the movie was based off a true story, I thought that it might not be too cheesy as an inspirational movie. I went to the local dollar theater to see the movie, figuring that if it was bad, I was only out a dollar. I was pleasantly surprised though. I hadn't seen Hilary Swank before and I thought that this was a fantastic role for her. I wonder how close they stayed to the actual story, but it was definitely an encouraging story. I couldn't help but wonder though just how co-dependent this woman was. She changed these student's lives though and that is a very good thing.

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nurul says "words are stonger than actions...." about Freedom Writers

nurul — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:49:58 GMT

this is a great movie and i like it so much. it tells that if we don't listen, we might not know the truth from another company. children like to keep stuff from the elders and share it within themselves. sometimes, we have to hear their inner voice so that we can understand their problems and conditions....

egallagher says "If you only have time for one movie, this is it!" about Freedom Writers

egallagher — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:54:21 GMT

Why you may feel that this is "just another one of those sappy true life stories" I don't feel that way. It is a true inspirational look at the life of a teacher who was willing to give up her marriage for her students. She was willing to do what it took to make a difference in the lives of her students, while many other teachers she was working with were not willing to go that far. While it may be hard to believe that someone would want to do this for her students, the fact is, there are people that truly want to make a difference in the lives of people. And....Patrick Dempsy...while not on screen often, is very nice on the eyes!...