Freedom Writers
April Lee Hernandez, Dre Bowie, Hilary Swank
A dedicated California teacher finds a way to unify her disadvantaged, racially divided students and to improve their grasp of academics, partly by having them keep journals about their violent, troub...( read more
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DVD Released: April 17, 2007
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Top Flixster Reviews
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January 20, 2009Directed by: Richard LaGravenese.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, April Lee Hernandez.
<< "I sat there until the police came. But when they come, all they see is a dead body, a gun, and a nigger. They took me ... ...( read more ) -
September 25, 2008Erin Gruwell: "You know what this is? This is a Fuck You to me and everyone in this class. I don't want excuses. I know what you're up against. We're all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the ey... ...( read more )
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July 23, 2008Every time I see a movie like this I wonder to my self, Would I rather be the teacher to inspire or the student who gets inspired? Other than that I learned that minorites hate each other just as much as any white racial group.
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June 8, 2008Had this not been based on a true story I might have found it hard to believe the transformation that this teacher performed with her class.
Obviously a remarkable woman with faith and passion for her students, something worth investing her hard work into.
A very inspiring ... ...( read more ) -
January 28, 2008It was virtually impossible for this to be original, considering its teacher/mentor-making-a-difference fromula. I don't think it wanted to be. It's basically a 21st century version of Dangerous Minds (without the Coolio song), there was no escaping that. Flawed, but affec... ...( read more )
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June 23, 2009A couple of yrs. late on watching this one...just never got around to it. Fantastic movie.! Want to read the book...hope it doesn't take me 2 yrs. to do that, Ha!
Critic Reviews
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Freedom Wr...
reviews at RottenTomatoes.com
January 9, 2007
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
January 5, 2007
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
It's a truly inspiring story; pity the movie doesn't live up to it. full review
January 5, 2007
Kyle Smith, New York Post
One teacher can make a difference in a troubled student's life. I learned this from To Sir, with Love, Dangerous Minds and Van Halen's Hot for Teacher video. full review
January 5, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
The kids' individual triumphs seem satisfyingly hard-won. full review
January 4, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today
The story feels like a rehash of movies we've seen, such as Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds and Take the Lead. If Swank's character weren't so saintly, the story might be more convincing. full review
Comments
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September 26, 2008Its based on a true story but one good touching true story , it shows you how one teacher changed the way students though about each other they used to be racist against each other . GOOD MOVIE
I Recommend All Flixster To See This Movie -
February 23, 2008i saw it at my reading class with my friends because the teacher told us we should watch it. pretty good story and good work of hilary swank
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January 12, 2008This Movie is awesome!It shows us what we can all achieve with a little bit of attention and understanding. N ow i want to read their journals!
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November 26, 2007OKAY! VAL (Batistafan) writes this is a MUST SEE! That does it! I'm going to go see it! LOL Oh am I too late? Have to rent the DVD!
(2007 Director: Richard LaGravenese) Sounds awesome, Craig! WOW! I liked your review of this film ...and uh hmnmmm I am just a beginning student observer (starting my classroom observation) NOT in high school thank God! !
Flixster - Share MoviesJust now my friend Amy told me Hillary Swank gives a tremendous performance as a fledgling new grad beginning her teaching career. I see Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy) also stars!
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October 3, 2007INCREdIBlE.
I found this movie very...dramatic. It struck a chord deep within, and not surprisingly, made me shed a tear (or two) in the duration of it. Hilary Swank will now be 1 of my fave actresses, as she played the part so very well^_^
I believe those who can relate to this movie and be unskeptical about it, could really come away with a sense of peace and some inspiration.
Besides the obvious disconcerting issues in this story-which imight add, still exhists today, I also found the lowlights entertaining.
A definite must see for fans of inspirational movies.
Post Note: It is based on a TRUE story! -
August 6, 2007Very good movie.(I'll only write the bad points cauzz overall it was a very good movie). I really wished they showed some more brutal gangsta shit that was really happening in the early 90's.Like for example , they hardly showed any school dropouts of room 203 (in the beginniong).Only 1 guy was murdered and 1 guy arrested (it just adds to the depth of the story and the gravity of the situation).
Also the once gangstas of that room stated acting soo white not only by the end of the movie but even in the middle that Hunter Parrish was more gangsta than them. Hilary swank was very good but I wish her divorece should have been mnore touching and life more struggleful.
Sry ppl if you don't agree with my point of view.but i've written this with all due respects. -
July 21, 2007ACouple from Dumas watched it last night, and we were really impressed.In some of the scenes it was like we were reliving it. I'n just hope this movie will inspire others to help those who are in gangs.I'm sure there are still others who need this type of help.
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June 10, 2007I know that feeling-no way out. It's scary and provokes anger. Writing is one of the best ways to work your way out of it.-Soni
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June 1, 2007This truly was an amazing movie and it really showed me the different views of the characters and it helps you realize there really are places that are like that and only if our nation could come together and stop it this world would be a better place. 5 stars on this movie!!
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