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Freedom Writers (2007) DVD Review
Freedom Writers (2007) DVD Credits:
Freedom Writers (2007) Directed by:
Richard LaGravenese
Freedom Writers (2007) Written by:
Richard LaGravenese
Freedom Writers (2007) Cast:
Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey
Freedom Writers (2007) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Freedom Writers (2007) DVD Release Date:
16th April 2007
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Freedom Writers (2007) Synopsis:

The project is based on "The Freedom Writer's Diaries: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them," written by high school teacher Erin Gruwell and her students. In the inspiring book, Gruwell and her "unteachable, at-risk" students set out on a life-changing, eye-opening, spirit-raising odyssey against ignorance, misunderstanding, and the negative forces in their own lives. Beginning with their study of "The Diary of Anne Frank" and the Holocaust, the Freedom Writers seek out heroes in the wider world. As their writing projects develop, the students strive to become their own heroes.

Freedom Writers (2007) DVD Review:

Each generation must have a film like this, about troubled kids with a dedicated teacher who helps them overcome their environment, but why does it feel as if this generation keeps having this same film made over and over again. I’m not sure how many more hip-hop influenced heart-warming teacher tales need to be captured on film, based on a true story or not. Those were my feelings at the beginning of the movie, expecting the sweet natured Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) to learn from her mistakes and start toughening up to earn the kids respect, but just as Erin’s kind and positive attitude wins the children’s hearts, found myself enamored with this teacher far more than I have experienced other than perhaps Half Nelson, which is a film of a completely different caliber.

Freedom Writers is a completely different type of film, and Hilary Swank’s performance is in a role completely different from what usually gets her attention, playing a character dripping with such determination, passion, but above all else, kindness. It is a difficult thing playing a character with such a heart of gold without seeming unbelievably hokey. Julianne Moore pulled this off with an incredible radiance, but Swank is more than believable. Playing Erin Gruwell, a remarkable young woman who chose to teach at a school recently forced into an integration system after the L.A. riots following the Rodney King incident. The school is filled with bitter administrative figures, angry at what the integration system has brought into their school, so Erin didn’t receive much help when trying to teach the troubled kids. Her class sees a portion of what she goes through to get them the resources to learn, and the usually inspiration are brought out, although fairly convincingly.

As often happens in these films, they become far more about how incredible the person who inspired the movie actually was, rather than the quality of a well told story. Freedom Writers manages to focus on both, but the former far more than the latter. Much of the film brings in the stories of the kids with voiceover, which is fitting considering the film was meant to be an adaptation of the journals these kids wrote while in Erin’s class. These are mere detours from Erin’s story, including her marriage to a somewhat supportive husband (Patrick Dempsey) and her touching relationship with her father (Scott Glen).

The special features include a commentary track by director Richard LaGravenese and Hilary Swank. There are also a few featurettes about the real Freedom Writers family and the true story that inspired the film. Other features include a photo gallery, theatrical trailer and a number of deleted scenes of varying relevance to the film.

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Freedom Writers (2007) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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