Review of Freedom Writers (2007) by Dawdlingpoet — 24 Nov 2021

I was somehow amused to find Imelda Staunton in this film, playing the school section head (assistant principal or something similar) - a very English actor, who I can't say I'd considered being in a film about a school in a rough, gang culture area of the US. Of course this sort of film is hardly original, there have been numerous other examples, such as Dangerous Minds with Michelle Pfeiffer. It is, thus, a somewhat sobering watch. I could empathise with some of the students certainly and with the teacher who finds herself faced with a class full of uninterested, loud and cocky teens. I thought it was interesting that the teacher took the students to a Holocaust museum and how she tries to teach them respect. I've since read that the holocaust survivors featured in the film were genuine holocaust survivors, which obviously makes it feel somewhat more authentic.

It is a fairly cheesy film in a way but it is also somewhat thought provoking, if you can see past the cliches. Its a film that means well but it isn't one I felt that overall was especially memorable, although I am aware its based on a true story and I do particularly appreciate films based on true stories - I don't know enough about it to be able to comment how realistic it either is or isn't though. There are a few poignant moments present (it may make you think about how people automatically prejudice people barely old enough to have had a chance to prove they can become more) but not really enough to give it a particularly high rate but enough to make it worth seeing if your interested in it, yes.