Review of Freedom Writers (2007) by Lee C — 03 Aug 2014

The Freedom Writers is based on a true story; it takes place in Long Beach, California during the Rodney King trial (1994). During this time period a series of fires, riots, fights and murders broke out across the country, especially in Long Beach. This film is about a teacher, Mrs. Gruwell (Hillary Swank) coming to Wilson High School to teach incoming freshmen English. Although Wilson High's administration basically tells Mrs. Gruwell that majority of their students are menaces to society and incapable of learning, that did not stop her from attempting to try. The students of classroom 203 have no desire to learn due to their violent lifestyles. After her students show that they have no desire whatsoever to be in school, Mrs. Gruwell goes the extra mile to make sure that her students receive the education they deserve. Mrs. Gruwell and her students become attached to one another throughout the film. She gives her students the drive to learn, Mrs. Gruwell manages to have the students express themselves by writing in diaries, thus being named The Freedom Writers. The classroom of 203 becomes a refuge to Erin Gruwell's students.

Although I enjoyed The Freedom Writers, some scenes seemed somewhat unrealistic, almost as if they were too good to be true. However, overall the movie was great and touching, at times I almost forgot that it was just a movie. Main characters Mrs. Gruwell (Hillary Swank) and Eva (April L. Hernandez) played their roles very well; I was connected to their characters throughout the entire movie. The Freedom Writers show that there are some teachers that are sincere about their job and that it is not about where you are from, but where you are going.

The Freedom Writers is based on a true story; it takes place in Long Beach, California during the Rodney King trial (1994). During this time period a series of fires, riots, fights and murders broke out across the country, especially in Long Beach. This film is about a teacher, Mrs. Gruwell (Hillary Swank) coming to Wilson High School to teach incoming freshmen English. Although Wilson High's administration basically tells Mrs. Gruwell that majority of their students are menaces to society and incapable of learning, that did not stop her from attempting to try. The students of classroom 203 have no desire to learn due to their violent lifestyles. After her students show that they have no desire whatsoever to be in school, Mrs. Gruwell goes the extra mile to make sure that her students receive the education they deserve. Mrs. Gruwell and her students become attached to one another throughout the film. She gives her students the drive to learn, Mrs. Gruwell manages to have the students express themselves by writing in diaries, thus being named The Freedom Writers. The classroom of 203 becomes a refuge to Erin Gruwell's students.

Although I enjoyed The Freedom Writers, some scenes seemed somewhat unrealistic, almost as if they were too good to be true. However, overall the movie was great and touching, at times I almost forgot that it was just a movie. Main characters Mrs. Gruwell (Hillary Swank) and Eva (April L. Hernandez) played their roles very well; I was connected to their characters throughout the entire movie. The Freedom Writers show that there are some teachers that are sincere about their job and that it is not about where you are from, but where you are going.