I had some initial apprehension towards viewing "Freedom Writers." I was expecting yet another rehash on the popular theme of having an outsider completely turn around the misfortunes of a band of inner city students and completely clean up a decrepit and unhealthy scholastic environment. Well, "Freedom Writers" is essentially another take on the themes made popular by films such as "Lean On Me." An unwelcome outsider does come into a violent environment and unfriendly classroom. And yes, the outsider does earn the respect of the unwilling students and help to turn their lives around. Thankfully, "Freedom Writers" is a far superior film to most of the other similar pictures and considering it is based on a true story and features the talented Hilary Swank, "Freedom Writers" is a better equipped motion picture.
Hilary Swank has pulled home two Oscar statues for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The first win was in 2000´s "Boys Don´t Cry." She took a second trip to the podium for her great performance in Clint Eastwood´s 2005 film "Million Dollar Baby." She has won a healthy number of other awards for these two films and there is no doubt as to her ability to act. Having Swank take on the role of Erin Gruwell is a blessing to the "Freedom Writers" film and I´m certain it would not have been the quality film it is without the participation of the actress, who does look something like the real-life Erin Gruwell. Swank is not the only familiar Hollywood name involved in this project about special inner city children. Veteran actor Scott Glenn and television favorite Patrick Dempsey take on roles of Erin Gruwell´s family and recording star Mario portrays one of the more troubled students of Gruwell´s class.
The film is based upon the actual writings of the students who were part of Erin Gruwell´s very first classroom. These writings are notebook diaries that were combined into the novel "The Freedom Writers Diaries" and detailed the harsh lives and tormented inner selves that were the words and thoughts of Gruwell´s students. Gruwell (Swank) has always wanted to help minority children and was impressed by the human rights work done by her father Steve Gruwell (Scott Glenn). She takes on a job at a high school that has been recently de-segregated and has seen its scholastic aptitude scores drop significantly as warring factions of racial gangs now rule the classrooms and teachers who once took pride in their work now sit back and just hope to survive each semester and not get mugged or stabbed by their potentially violent children.
At first, Gruwell cannot relate to the children and they refuse to give her any of their attention or respect. They would rather posture against students of other races or social classes than be educated in English. Gruwell´s students are not the only obstacle to the student´s learning. Her section leader and principal refuse to allow the students to possess any of the books in their storeroom and they are forced to use used books that are intended for much younger children. After some time, Gruwell finds ways to connect with the children and show them that they truly are not too different than the peers of another gang or race. Gruwell takes on two jobs and brings strain to her relationship with her husband Scott (Patrick Dempsey). She does this to raise money to buy books for the children and take them on field trips. When Gruwell takes the children to the Holocaust museum, she begins to earn their trust and respect. When the students are educated on the "Diary of Anne Frank" and earn a chance to meet the lady that housed Anne Frank, "Miep Gies," they band together to raise the money.
"Freedom Writers" is a film that looks at the harsh reality that awaits these inner city children as they awake each morning. For them, the world is a violent place and they are never given the opportunity or shown that a different future can await them if they choose to not lead the life of a gang member and take part in the drive by shootings that slowly erode their numbers. It is also a look at a special woman that would not give up on the children and she eventually earned their trust and helped to turn their lives around. This is a true story and Hilary Swank and the filmmakers, including Executive Producer Danny DeVito, pay proper respect to Erin Gruwell´s story. Today, Erin Gruwell´s Freedom Writers Foundation educates others on her methods and allows for other students to have the opportunities given to Erin Gruwell´s students.
Hilary Swank has pulled home two Oscar statues for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The first win was in 2000´s "Boys Don´t Cry." She took a second trip to the podium for her great performance in Clint Eastwood´s 2005 film "Million Dollar Baby." She has won a healthy number of other awards for these two films and there is no doubt as to her ability to act. Having Swank take on the role of Erin Gruwell is a blessing to the "Freedom Writers" film and I´m certain it would not have been the quality film it is without the participation of the actress, who does look something like the real-life Erin Gruwell. Swank is not the only familiar Hollywood name involved in this project about special inner city children. Veteran actor Scott Glenn and television favorite Patrick Dempsey take on roles of Erin Gruwell´s family and recording star Mario portrays one of the more troubled students of Gruwell´s class.
The film is based upon the actual writings of the students who were part of Erin Gruwell´s very first classroom. These writings are notebook diaries that were combined into the novel "The Freedom Writers Diaries" and detailed the harsh lives and tormented inner selves that were the words and thoughts of Gruwell´s students. Gruwell (Swank) has always wanted to help minority children and was impressed by the human rights work done by her father Steve Gruwell (Scott Glenn). She takes on a job at a high school that has been recently de-segregated and has seen its scholastic aptitude scores drop significantly as warring factions of racial gangs now rule the classrooms and teachers who once took pride in their work now sit back and just hope to survive each semester and not get mugged or stabbed by their potentially violent children.
At first, Gruwell cannot relate to the children and they refuse to give her any of their attention or respect. They would rather posture against students of other races or social classes than be educated in English. Gruwell´s students are not the only obstacle to the student´s learning. Her section leader and principal refuse to allow the students to possess any of the books in their storeroom and they are forced to use used books that are intended for much younger children. After some time, Gruwell finds ways to connect with the children and show them that they truly are not too different than the peers of another gang or race. Gruwell takes on two jobs and brings strain to her relationship with her husband Scott (Patrick Dempsey). She does this to raise money to buy books for the children and take them on field trips. When Gruwell takes the children to the Holocaust museum, she begins to earn their trust and respect. When the students are educated on the "Diary of Anne Frank" and earn a chance to meet the lady that housed Anne Frank, "Miep Gies," they band together to raise the money.
"Freedom Writers" is a film that looks at the harsh reality that awaits these inner city children as they awake each morning. For them, the world is a violent place and they are never given the opportunity or shown that a different future can await them if they choose to not lead the life of a gang member and take part in the drive by shootings that slowly erode their numbers. It is also a look at a special woman that would not give up on the children and she eventually earned their trust and helped to turn their lives around. This is a true story and Hilary Swank and the filmmakers, including Executive Producer Danny DeVito, pay proper respect to Erin Gruwell´s story. Today, Erin Gruwell´s Freedom Writers Foundation educates others on her methods and allows for other students to have the opportunities given to Erin Gruwell´s students.
I had some initial apprehension towards viewing "Freedom Writers." I was expecting yet another rehash on the popular theme of having an outsider completely turn around the misfortunes of a band of inner city students and completely clean up a decrepit and unhealthy scholastic environment. Well, "Freedom Writers" is essentially another take on the themes made popular by films such as "Lean On Me." An unwelcome outsider does come into a violent environment and unfriendly classroom. And yes, the outsider does earn the respect of the unwilling students and help to turn their lives around. Thankfully, "Freedom Writers" is a far superior film to most of the other similar pictures and considering it is based on a true story and features the talented Hilary Swank, "Freedom Writers" is a better equipped motion picture.
Hilary Swank has pulled home two Oscar statues for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The first win was in 2000´s "Boys Don´t Cry." She took a second trip to the podium for her great performance in Clint Eastwood´s 2005 film "Million Dollar Baby." She has won a healthy number of other awards for these two films and there is no doubt as to her ability to act. Having Swank take on the role of Erin Gruwell is a blessing to the "Freedom Writers" film and I´m certain it would not have been the quality film it is without the participation of the actress, who does look something like the real-life Erin Gruwell. Swank is not the only familiar Hollywood name involved in this project about special inner city children. Veteran actor Scott Glenn and television favorite Patrick Dempsey take on roles of Erin Gruwell´s family and recording star Mario portrays one of the more troubled students of Gruwell´s class.
The film is based upon the actual writings of the students who were part of Erin Gruwell´s very first classroom. These writings are notebook diaries that were combined into the novel "The Freedom Writers Diaries" and detailed the harsh lives and tormented inner selves that were the words and thoughts of Gruwell´s students. Gruwell (Swank) has always wanted to help minority children and was impressed by the human rights work done by her father Steve Gruwell (Scott Glenn). She takes on a job at a high school that has been recently de-segregated and has seen its scholastic aptitude scores drop significantly as warring factions of racial gangs now rule the classrooms and teachers who once took pride in their work now sit back and just hope to survive each semester and not get mugged or stabbed by their potentially violent children.
At first, Gruwell cannot relate to the children and they refuse to give her any of their attention or respect. They would rather posture against students of other races or social classes than be educated in English. Gruwell´s students are not the only obstacle to the student´s learning. Her section leader and principal refuse to allow the students to possess any of the books in their storeroom and they are forced to use used books that are intended for much younger children. After some time, Gruwell finds ways to connect with the children and show them that they truly are not too different than the peers of another gang or race. Gruwell takes on two jobs and brings strain to her relationship with her husband Scott (Patrick Dempsey). She does this to raise money to buy books for the children and take them on field trips. When Gruwell takes the children to the Holocaust museum, she begins to earn their trust and respect. When the students are educated on the "Diary of Anne Frank" and earn a chance to meet the lady that housed Anne Frank, "Miep Gies," they band together to raise the money.
"Freedom Writers" is a film that looks at the harsh reality that awaits these inner city children as they awake each morning. For them, the world is a violent place and they are never given the opportunity or shown that a different future can await them if they choose to not lead the life of a gang member and take part in the drive by shootings that slowly erode their numbers. It is also a look at a special woman that would not give up on the children and she eventually earned their trust and helped to turn their lives around. This is a true story and Hilary Swank and the filmmakers, including Executive Producer Danny DeVito, pay proper respect to Erin Gruwell´s story. Today, Erin Gruwell´s Freedom Writers Foundation educates others on her methods and allows for other students to have the opportunities given to Erin Gruwell´s students.
Hilary Swank has pulled home two Oscar statues for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The first win was in 2000´s "Boys Don´t Cry." She took a second trip to the podium for her great performance in Clint Eastwood´s 2005 film "Million Dollar Baby." She has won a healthy number of other awards for these two films and there is no doubt as to her ability to act. Having Swank take on the role of Erin Gruwell is a blessing to the "Freedom Writers" film and I´m certain it would not have been the quality film it is without the participation of the actress, who does look something like the real-life Erin Gruwell. Swank is not the only familiar Hollywood name involved in this project about special inner city children. Veteran actor Scott Glenn and television favorite Patrick Dempsey take on roles of Erin Gruwell´s family and recording star Mario portrays one of the more troubled students of Gruwell´s class.
The film is based upon the actual writings of the students who were part of Erin Gruwell´s very first classroom. These writings are notebook diaries that were combined into the novel "The Freedom Writers Diaries" and detailed the harsh lives and tormented inner selves that were the words and thoughts of Gruwell´s students. Gruwell (Swank) has always wanted to help minority children and was impressed by the human rights work done by her father Steve Gruwell (Scott Glenn). She takes on a job at a high school that has been recently de-segregated and has seen its scholastic aptitude scores drop significantly as warring factions of racial gangs now rule the classrooms and teachers who once took pride in their work now sit back and just hope to survive each semester and not get mugged or stabbed by their potentially violent children.
At first, Gruwell cannot relate to the children and they refuse to give her any of their attention or respect. They would rather posture against students of other races or social classes than be educated in English. Gruwell´s students are not the only obstacle to the student´s learning. Her section leader and principal refuse to allow the students to possess any of the books in their storeroom and they are forced to use used books that are intended for much younger children. After some time, Gruwell finds ways to connect with the children and show them that they truly are not too different than the peers of another gang or race. Gruwell takes on two jobs and brings strain to her relationship with her husband Scott (Patrick Dempsey). She does this to raise money to buy books for the children and take them on field trips. When Gruwell takes the children to the Holocaust museum, she begins to earn their trust and respect. When the students are educated on the "Diary of Anne Frank" and earn a chance to meet the lady that housed Anne Frank, "Miep Gies," they band together to raise the money.
"Freedom Writers" is a film that looks at the harsh reality that awaits these inner city children as they awake each morning. For them, the world is a violent place and they are never given the opportunity or shown that a different future can await them if they choose to not lead the life of a gang member and take part in the drive by shootings that slowly erode their numbers. It is also a look at a special woman that would not give up on the children and she eventually earned their trust and helped to turn their lives around. This is a true story and Hilary Swank and the filmmakers, including Executive Producer Danny DeVito, pay proper respect to Erin Gruwell´s story. Today, Erin Gruwell´s Freedom Writers Foundation educates others on her methods and allows for other students to have the opportunities given to Erin Gruwell´s students.
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