Freedom Writers [2007]

Product Details

Director : Richard LaGravenese
Actor : Hilary Swank, Deance Wyatt, Vanetta Smith, Gabriel Chavarria, Hunter Parrish
Format : PAL
Binding : DVD
EAN : 5014437929235
Product Group : DVD
Region Code : 2
Release Date : 2007-07-09
Running Time : 118minutes
Studio : Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)

ASIN : B000RHOFSO

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Customer Reviews

Film Reviewer (2008-07-17)

Yes, you may have seen similar films like this but for me i think this film was great viewing as it wasn't about the pupils fitting in and having their lives turned around, it was also a teachers struggle to earn the respect of her pupils.I've never seen a hilary swank film but gotta say she was really good in her role and most of all convincing.With all what's going on i think this well worth watching and would recommend this to anyone.

WOW! A cracking movie (2008-03-31)

I watched this on the weekend and was blown away. I love films and in an age of CGI animation and blockbuster special effects, it was liberating to watch a film that was so moving and inspirational.The film tells the story of a teacher, who from her class room, managed to change peoples lives for the better and give them a tool to change the world...an education.This film prooves that if you dare to dream and reach for the stars...you might just get there. Watch the film as it will inpspire you.

Education education education, as i believe someone once said (2008-03-11)

Oh no not another movie about some middle class white person inspiring a racially diverse bunch of teenage gang -bangers that yeah there is more to life than getting "respec" , protecting your turf and killing each other. Hasn't this been done before? Well yes it has , most recently with the truly laughable "Dangerous Minds", but leave your cynicism by .....well by whatever the best place to leave it is , because Freedom Writers is based on a true story -a truly inspiring one at that - and whatever your levels of scepticism surely anyone with a living beating heart will find something affecting about this movie. Idealistic first-year English teacher Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank who also served as an executive producer), the daughter of a civil rights activist Steve Gruwell (Scott Glenn) attempts to make a difference by taking her first job in a volatile inner-city Los Angeles high school. Like Glenn Ford in "The Blackboard Jungle" or Sidney Poitier in "To Sir, With Love," Gruwell hasn't a clue about what she's getting into. But she cares, she's determined and she perseveres, battling intransigent scathing veterans and an unmoving bureaucracy every step of the way. Why she even takes on extra jobs to buy the students new books, organises fund-raising events all to the detriment of her marriage to under-achieving Scott (Patrick Dempsey) Her class of black, Latino and Asian students are not exactly thrilled about reading The Odyssey. but through resolve and gawky determination and a willingness to meet her students on their own terms, Erin turns the class of misfits into a family of confident young scholars. Her primary inspirational tool involves encouraging the students to write diaries about their everyday lives, providing a catharsis for the under privileged teens. She teaches them about the Holocaust ,they meet some holocaust survivors played by real veterans and after reading the "Diary Of Anne Frank" they arrange a visit from Miep Gies(Pat Carroll), the woman who hid Anne Frank from the Nazi's .Director/writer Richard La Gravanese keeps the premise simple , though there sub -plots involving sulky Eva (April Hernandez) and Andre(Mario).It could be argued that the film is over simplified and while Hilary Swank is a terrific actress , her performance is a little one note -all wringing hands and toothy grin .The scene where she attempts to get the kids on-side by playing Snoop Dog and dancing like her feet having been stapled to concrete lintels is toe curling. Then there are the kids. They all put in credible performances but are clearly way beyond the ages they are meant to be portraying . While the film has a sincere evocative message and is genuinely moving at times it struck me that it leaves the viewer with a rather bittersweet message. We can cheer the accomplishment of these propitious few, but the film clearly proclaims that her project is an exception. If it takes the total commitment of an extraordinary individual to reach students, then isolated success is all we can expect from this damaged structure. Having said that her achievement is worthy of celebration and this film is a creditable part of that celebration .

The best film of 2007! (2008-01-01)

The only question which remained at the end of this film was whether I or my wife cried more!Based on a true story and acted superbly with Hilary Swank in the lead role, this film is an inspiration - hope, humanity and humility personified. This truly has to be the film of 2007 if not of all time. Go watch it and take a plentiful stock of tissues with you. You will be moved.

Outstanding and inspirational (possible *spoiler*) (2007-12-07)

Usually i am drawn to films with breathtaking special effects, but after 3 recoomendations, i watched this film. I have never felt so amazed by a story and a film before. It was touching and i loved every minute of it. Don't let the fact of it being a touching film put you off because it has got so much depth and clear understanding of predjudice. Hilary Swank plays Erin Grunell fantastically and really puts across a very caring teacher, but with other problems in her own life. Imelda Staunton is exceptional and really plays her character perfectly. I'm not that keen on books, but after seeing this, i really want to read the actual diaries. This film is close to perfection in my opinion and touches on issues with heart, but with effect. Overall this is probably my favourite of this type of film and touches very close to my favourite so far. Possibly even my favourite. Amazing, definitely worth five stars.

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