Review of Freedom Writers (2007) by Andrea H — 14 Jun 2011

I never seen 'Dangerous Minds" so I won't even compare it with that. Freedom Writers is based on a true story with a real Erin Gruwell and a real Freedom Writers group, who were Ms. G's students. Sure there was some corny parts, but it's okay. I really admire the real Ms. G for her efforts and labour of love to get these kids to see common grounds that each students had no matter which racial group they belong to. "The Line Game" scene showed the students no matter which racial group they are from, they still suffered from the same pains of discrimination and the loss of friends due to gang violence.

Another scene I enjoyed was when Ms. Gruwell worked at two different jobs to afford books and field trips for her students and took them to the Museum of Tolerance (which is similar to the Holocaust museum in Wash D.C.). The students were able to speak with real Holocaust survivors and become aware of the sufferings of the Holocaust victims to turn themselves away from the violence instead of being part of it. When they read The Diary of Anne Frank, they learned compassion and how to do the right thing and not just blindly follow gangs and protect their own but stand up for what's right.

Freedom Writers is a movie that didn't get a lot of publicity, but I think for people who did find it and will enjoy the movie. When I watched it, it was a good portrayal of the racial tension in what is a intergrated school that was an A-list school and for the 2 hrs worth of the movie, I think they did a good job. I saw the behind the scenes and the cast did a good job.

Since it took place in the 90s, I could relate to the fashion and relate to the movie. I don't know if I am able to have the same passion and idealism as Erin Gruwell has if I were in her shoes.

It was a waste of Patrick Dempsey being in the movie. I mean...he didn't have a really meaty role. He played Erin Gruwell's husband who grew apart from her as she got really into her job of helping these at-risk students and when her job consumed her time and she was working two other jobs to get the funds which the school and school board of ed didn't give her. The husband said he's proud of her works, but couldn't accept having to be 2nd after her passion as a teacher. They drifted apart and got a divorce. It's not easy to find someone who loves you and supports you 100%. I don't blame him and I can sort of understand, but if he took part of helping her like her father did and actually saw the kids as people worth sympathizing and helping,he would've been a better husband.

For what it's worth,I enjoyed this film. I actually have a copy of The Freedom Writers Diary, which I got from the library's book store before I found and saw this movie. It really moved me to start reading the book to see which part they used in the movie and what others they didn't.