OK, so I'm a sucker for movies about against-all-odds success stories. But I didn't expect to like Freedom Writers as much as I did. In early December someone from a PR company promoting Freedom Writers contacted ProgressiveU. "The movie is a perfect fit for ProgressiveU members," he said. "Can you help us promote the film?" We had just finished our Fall competition, and it was a about a week before I had time to even read his email. To make a long story short, we missed the window of opportunity to help promote the film before it came out, but after seeing the film yesterday I wish I had gotten on the ball quicker.
Freedom Writers is based on a true story about a high school teacher named Erin Gruwell, and her English class students who overcome huge obstacles and use the power of writing to turn their lives around. I had read some skeptical reviews before going to see it; comments like "why do we need another movie about the noble teacher who saves the day?" One reviewer even called the story "contrived." But the fact is, Freedom Writers is not contrived. It's a true story about Erin Gruwell and her students in Long Beach, CA, about 10 years ago. And after reading about Erin Gruwell and her students, I'm convinced that what they accomplished in real life is even more impressive than what's portrayed in the movie.
It's an appropriate story to recount on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the theme song by Common, "A Dream" is a great bonus. If you're a cynic who doesn't like such stories, don't see it. But since most ProU members already realize the power of writing the change lives, I've got to believe most of you would like it. Let me know what you think if you've seen it, and definitely check out Erin Gruwell's website.
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Don't you think that it is a little too stereotypical, with them really dividing the lines between Cambodians, African-Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics? There are cliques, but people don't hate each other that much to have their territory on school grounds...I also don't like how they portrayed Cambodians as quiet and submissive...not all Asians are like that!! But yea, Hilary Swank is a good fit for the teacher's role in that movie.
It may not be typical, but from what I've read that's what it was like at the school where Gruwell taught. It wasn't like that at my high school, but I saw that type of thing in college, so I can imagine there are high schools with such problems.
Again, this isn't something they just made up for Hollywood. Gruwell taught 150 students, following them from freshman year through graduation. And the real-life kids did much more than they showed in the movie. In the movie, they make it seem like going to the Holocaust museum was just a short drive away. In real life they went from LA to Washington D.C. Not only that, they raised enough money to travel to Amsterdam to learn about Anne Frank.
Not every class can do that, I'll admit. But it's a great example of what can be done. Many of the original Freedom Writers now work with the Freedom Writers Foundation, and they help high schools set up similar programs. So if you think your high school, or one near you could benefit, check out the website.
Don't forget this is hollywood. I haven't seen the film yet, I plan to very soon because it is portrays some great progressive views. I would say the dividing that you speak about on the school grounds was a vehicle used to build the movie plot and history of conflict between groups, and not necessarily the cold hard truth of different peoples. But still I have not seen the film yet, so don't take my word for it. I can't wait to see it!
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Thanks for the review. I was interested in seeing it, but has the same doubts you did. Now I will definately see it. Plus I love Dempsey (Im obsessed with Grey's, lol).
Francesca Chambers
i saw this movie, and about the whole division thing between the races, maybe not where you live, but trust me in parts of this country there are that extremes. i don't know how many times i see all asian or all black or all white people just hang out in their own groups and don't go outside of that. i'm thankful for this movie i plan to be a teacher and an english teacher at that and if i have kids like that it gives me courage if that ever happens.
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Unlike a few of you I was really excited about going to see the movie. I have seen some of the problems portrayed in the movie, not so much as a racial issue as just gang issues within a race. The high school I attended for my first three high school years was greatly divided by gang territory. Until they weeded out a lot of the "bad seeds", we would have up to seven or eight fights a day on campus, a few of them actually resulting in injuries and arrests. We had at least one police officer on campus at all times and it wasn't uncommon to see four or five units to show up through the day for various things. I remember the beginning of my junior year a freshman stepped off of the bus (I'm pretty sure he used public buses) and was stabbed nine times by someone he'd made a bad drug deal with. These issues are real and it was a great story of how ordinary people could overcome the struggles and prejudices they'd known all their lives.
I have to agree that the story was almost too 'made for tv movie' perfect, but that made it all the better since it was a true story. I'd reccomend anyone see this movie, it could open your eyes, and warm your heart, I know it did mine.
I saw the movie a few days ago, and really liked it. I'd recommend it to anyone.
i ddin't want to see the movie, but my friends told me to coem with them so I did. I was really surprised by it. At one point, i was in complete shock by what I saw-- the real footage from the gang wars. It scared me--to think that society's differences resulted in that. I lef tthat theater with an opinion 180 degrees from that which I walked in with...
I went to see this movie with two teachers (my aunts). They have both experienced elements of this movie and say characters were true to life. We had a long discussion after the movie about different aspects of Freedom Writers. I was most surprised about the students not knowing anything about the Holocaust at a high school level! Now I understand that it just doesn't fit into all schools' ciriculums because it's modern history. Overall, it was a real eye opener for me (in mostly white suburbia).
I enjoyed this movie and cried multiple times from touching moments. On a side note, I hated Patrick Dempsey's character.
Four out of five stars.
I gave 5, I didn't see the movie but visited Erin Gruwell's website.
Dav.
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