User Reviews

The story of the teacher who must make his way in a hostile environment is, perhaps, a familiar one. However, the fact that it is based on a real-life scenario is emotional enough to absorb the viewer. That is just what is of interest.

I delayed seeing this movie for many years because I feared sitting through another of those Hollywood classroom genre clichés. But having reached a stage where I was braced for giving it a chance regardless, it turned out to be better than expected. Yes, the clichés are there. What else can anyone expect from a film about the education of groups of downtrodden mixed races? But, the difference is all in the unfolding of a character building exercise, by above average writing (Unbroken ’14) and direction from Richard LaGravenese. This fact-based story of an ideological first time teacher (Erin Gruwell) wanting to make a difference in teenager’s lives, is worthy of the time to watch and consider. Hillary Swank gives a sincere and well balanced rendering as Erin Gruwell and the cast supporting her do likewise. Those not prepared to accept the reality of clichés in aspects of everyday life are fooling themselves, so don’t pay too much attention to their rants. Everyone who cares can make inspirational differences in the lives of others (especially the underprivileged) and those who try are to be applauded. This film is up there with “Stand and Deliver” for its genuine subject commitment. The film has actually come full circle, being especially relevant today in light of the ignorance on full display - regarding the propaganda machine (**** style) that many deceived people have allowed themselves to be influenced by all over again! Humanity is so easily (and tragically) led. Overcome blind ‘racial’ division, and half the world’s problems disappear (and that virtually applies the world over)

The story was appealing from the beginning, and the movie makes you care for all the characters, the cast of actors also did a really good job. This is the type of movie I would like to see more often, it's very inspiring.

I was somehow amused to find Imelda Staunton in this film, playing the school section head (assistant principal or something similar) - a very English actor, who I can't say I'd considered being in a film about a school in a rough, gang culture area of the US. Of course this sort of film is hardly original, there have been numerous other examples, such as Dangerous Minds with Michelle Pfeiffer. It is, thus, a somewhat sobering watch. I could empathise with some of the students certainly and with the teacher who finds herself faced with a class full of uninterested, loud and cocky teens. I thought it was interesting that the teacher took the students to a Holocaust museum and how she tries to teach them respect. I've since read that the holocaust survivors featured in the film were genuine holocaust survivors, which obviously makes it feel somewhat more authentic. It is a fairly cheesy film in a way but it is also somewhat thought provoking, if you can see past the cliches. Its a film that means well but it isn't one I felt that overall was especially memorable, although I am aware its based on a true story and I do particularly appreciate films based on true stories - I don't know enough about it to be able to comment how realistic it either is or isn't though. There are a few poignant moments present (it may make you think about how people automatically prejudice people barely old enough to have had a chance to prove they can become more) but not really enough to give it a particularly high rate but enough to make it worth seeing if your interested in it, yes.

A White Savior Film That Isn't Harmful, But Is Still Problematic as an Antiracist Film 10/12 Freedom Writers was an excellent film. I watched this and Da 5 Bloods on MLK Jr. Day to continue my antiracism journey and to both celebrate race and watch films that deal with racism. Freedom Writers is a beautiful story that wrenches my heart. I cried several times throughout. It's beautiful and upsetting, but almost carries the same Oscar-baiting drama as films like Crash or Green Book. Now, this is another white savior movie, but unlike Green Book, it's not slanderous to the true history and in turn, racistly trying to be an anti racist film. But the whole film is about the white woman being a hero and saving the black, Asian, and Hispanic kids (and the one white kid). She is the main character and the savior and the focus is on her. Of course, that's the story and she is a tremendous human. But, the film prides its antiracism and unifying messages, but also creates an unhealthy dependency on the minority characters. They need her and don't want to be without her and they're portrayed as being lost and helpless without her. So, this film has antiracist themes and it's a Race Film, dealing with racism, but being a white savior, it almost sits on the outside of the core of antiracism films. At the core of these films include films that are typically black-starring or black-produced and really deal with racism in a different way. Some good examples would be BlackKklansman, Selma, Sorry to Bother You, and Get Out. But, movies that sit on the outer circle of antiracism films are this one, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Green Mile, and The Help. They may have good intentions, good stories, or antiracist themes, but they just miss the mark by accidentally disenfranchising POC, over-dramatizing the stories, or collaterally contributing to racism through not fully antiracist stories. But, these aren't as bad as movies like Green Book that completely **** the true story, have disingenuous diversity/POC representation, and try to pass off a toxic race film as antiracist. Freedom Writers doesn't nearly go that far. The white savior complex doesn't help the film since it disenfranchises the characters of color and shows a necessity for white people to uplift people of color, but it also tells a great emotional story and comes across as a well-made movie otherwise.

Amo esse filme. Muito inspirador. Literalmente mudou a minha vida de várias formas e a principal delas foi me ensinando a dar mais valor aos professores. Assisti quando criança e era muito difícil algo prender a minha atenção na época; mas esse longa conseguiu, justamente por ter tudo o que, pra mim, um filme BOM precisa ter: boa ambientalização, boa foto grafia, bom roteiro e boas músicas. Filme simplesmente incrível, merecia muito mais reconhecimento. Amo demais! Nota 10.

This film had things going for itself but, it had issues that it could've perfected on. For example, a major flaw with the casting of the students was that they looked twice the age of a regular high school Freshman. Despite the fact that this might irritate some moviegoers, it didn’t get under my skin that much since it seems like this is one of the more common flaws in most present day “coming of age” movies, and I was somewhat expecting that going into this film. Most of the scenes are shot in a pretty generic way, with tons of quick cuts that almost interrupted scenes. In a scene of one of Eva’s (April L. Hernandez) outbursts, she is seen kicking what appears to be tin on the ground and the scene in general was a bit silly. Also, the editor cut out part of the scene too quickly and it just didn’t flow. Although, I would consider the scene when the movie depicts the upbringing and backgrounds of the troubled students while Mrs. Gruwell is reading their journal entries, to be one of the more effective parts of Freedom Writers. This is because the inclusion of master shots during the scenes represented the more short and traumatic events all in one setting, and the long takes depicting the more lengthy events taken place while walking around on the streets. In my opinion, Freedom Writers should've utilized more of a variety of different shots to make the film visually more interesting. The directing and dialogue in the scenes between Mrs. Gruwell and the students are the strongest, especially when she mentions the analogy comparing gangs to the Holocaust.* I would regard this scene to also be the most realistic since I can picture even regular students getting heated with the teacher if they bring up a sensitive topic (gangs) and speak about it as if it was something they have personally experienced enough to know the emotion and impact attached to it. In addition, this scene also indicates to the audience how uneducated theses groups of students are, once its revealed that they didn’t even know what the Holocaust was. However my main issue with the film is that it exaggerates the antagonists too much, making them more one dimensional. Of course the first person that others would assume I’m referring is Margaret Campbell (aka Professor Umbridge). Even though she has been type casted in the same kind of role since Harry Potter, it is definitely for a purpose since she acts in that malevolent role very well. Both Mr. Gelford’s (John Benjamin Hickey) and Scott Casey’s (Patrick Dempsey) scenes in particular were super contrived in terms of trying to make them unlikeable characters. A scene I would say sums up how Mr. Gelford is portrayed is when Mrs. Gruwell meets up with the Board of Education and at one point, responds with something along the lines of, “You really think I care about the students?” No one in that scene even commented on the inappropriate statement he made and he was still perceived as being one of the more reputable and normal teachers in that district. Speaking from the perspective of someone who has a parent that works at the school, I would think that making absurd and unprofessional comments like that around the Board of Education would get someone into some trouble. Dempsey’s scenes are even more unconvincing since they shift from him expressing how dissatisfied with their distant relationship to him forgiving her and being all affectionate with her too quickly. These scenes would’ve been better if they just executed the first two scenes with him in a way that made it seem like they were a normal couple with no issues and then slowly add tension. Another issue I had with Freedom Writers was the portrayal of Ben Daniel’s (Hunter Parish). I felt in the beginning of the film, that he would be a prominent character but they just squeezed in his character’s backstory during the most random scene. Despite the drawbacks I just mentioned and the occasional cheese, Freedom Writers is an uplifting movie that I would rate higher than Stand and Deliver (the super dated original version) but lower than Dead Poet’s Society since that move is better in all aspects. So, a fair score for this movie would be a 3 out of 5.

Escritores da Liberdade é um dos melhores filmes que eu já assisti. Tem uma mensagem linda (e muito importante para a sociedade), além da direção e roteiro impecáveis. Os atores atuaram muito bem, nos mostrando um show de interpretação.

An inspiring and surprising film that Hilary Swank surprised with a role as a teacher of literature that changes the sense of being of young people who steal, use drugs and murder , to be a writer of good, God and Liberty.

It ****...need to be made. As if these school stories about troubled teenagers had't become a formulaic and rely too much on lachrymose story-lines of inner-city school teaching. In truth, all except the non-minority I felt sympathetic to. I'm not racist, but every other character is either a waste, thug, or junkie. And in Hilary **** character, I can pitifully admire her insistence on teaching these, "students", how to live life not in the ghetto's. Once is about enough.

It is very sad that this was a true story, but also a very brilliant piece of work, I am so happy that this movie wasn't so pompus. Usually movies about race always end up blaming white people who did nothing wrong, but this movie is just flat out touching and entertaining. One of my all time favorites.

It is the typical movie bad children who become good thanks to a good person. The plot is typical, but the movie is entertaining.

Swank is an undeniable talent. It may not be possessed of a beauty worthy of Hollywood standards but delights rightfully so. Casually because she played properly fair. Being a good actress is not having a perfect face. Particularly, I think this is the best movie I've seen of hers. And there's more of hers that I have the pleasure to see... With this film, you realize how imortant not to lose the grip of being in a classroom. Who works in such spot recognizes it. You inspire me to teach their ideas. As I am shy with the public, I need good ideas to teach. I saw this movie, great tips about it. Bright, with riveting performances and leaves you to ponder when the letters begin to rise ...

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

This movie is kind of laughable in a way. It's chalk full of cliches, and yes I realize that was a pun. The first half of this movie was inspirational and moving, and then slowly it turns crazy. The principle, other teachers and department head are almost cartoonish villains. Short of holding a cat and saying "we can't let the Negroes rise against us!" she is laughable. Also Hillary Swank's character also sort of loses her mind. I understand that she made great sacrifices but she goes to far. She loses a marriage and then fights to stay with the kids through the high school. This sounds nobel on the surface but we lose sight of the other classes that she is dumping. Hazzah she saved 30 kids and screwed 130. The kids can always come back to a teachers room to get help. It shows how she falls short as a teacher to prepare these kids for the future. Maybe I am biased because my wife is a teacher but I have seen troubled kids in her classes move on and then come back for help. The kids were able to move on and become grown ups with out their hands being held. Thats the biggest problem with this movie. This movie could have been far better then it was but it falls short. Overall it is a good school movie but not much else

People, educate your children! Tolerance is what this world needs. It can be derived from studying history which furthermore should prevent us from making the same mistakes that others did before us. "Freedom Writers" is, on the one hand, a sad revelation to viewers who grew up in countries without gang life. On the other hand, it is a very beautiful movie, based on a true story, that proves that change is possible and hope is not in vain. The movie shows in a smart and reverent way how racism can lead to genocides. Highly recommended.