Freedom Writers (2007)

'Freedom writers' was a touching movie. It displays conflict , racism , violence and a lot of other dangers that happened in the early 1990s in Long beach. It presents how the riots extremely affected kids living in long beach. This film makes people aware how uneducated teens were , due to them being preoccupied with their safety. Its based on a true story, written by the real teacher who changed the lives of those kids. This film contains numerous morals and hidden messages , a lot to do with racism and gangs.However good the quality of the actual film is, is irrelevant , as its such an amazing, mesmerizing , sad, happy and controversial story on its own. Every actor in the movie was really believable ( apart from Imelda Stauton who played the school director ). All the young actors, playing the high school kids, did brilliant jobs , as well as the actor playing Erin( the main protagonist ). This film also managed to fit in some humorous scenes, as well as very emotional and violent scenes. This movie can completely change someones perspective on ethnic backgrounds and change a privileged persons general state of mind.

Freedom WritersBased on a true story, Freedom Writers follows the story of a young high school English teacher, Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank, who takes on the job of teaching troubled teens in a Long Beach, California high school. Woodrow Wilson High School, which just two years before, had created an integration program, was suffering from the concept of kids simply getting left behind because of their economic status and their race. Gruwell would be joining a staff of teachers that had already given up on these students before they had even walked into the classroom. Coming from a wealthy upbringing, Gruwell enters her new job as somewhat naive about the lives these troubled teens were living outside of school. In a classroom exercise, she quickly learns that many of her misunderstood students have had someone in their lives killed from gang violence. Gruwell's classroom is immediately divided by racial tension amongst the students. After initiating an open discussion about a recent shooting, Gruwell begins to understand the circumstances that her students are up against. She also quickly learns that these students have so much to say. With this, she assigns a writing project where each of her students is given a journal to freely write about anything that they want. As the year goes on the students begin to turn to Mrs. Gruwell about their problems as their bond with one another strengthens. Throughout the school year, the students' education requires more and more. Being that the school isn't particularly concerned with these specific students, Gruwell can't get the funding, for things like computers, so she takes it upon herself to provide for these less fortunate students. In doing so, she attains part time jobs in order to afford these things. By the end of the year, Gruwell has developed an extremely strong bond with her students and becomes an outlet for each and every one of them. Although this story of discrimination and denial of education is one that is told often, Freedom Writers is one movie that audiences will never get tired of. Movies dealing with race, such as Coach Carter or Remember the Titans, are able to get through to the audience because of the personal relationships on screen that you almost begin to feel like you are a part of. With each individual student's story, we begin to see more and more into the life of an underprivileged and overlooked teen of an urban high school. These students were wrongfully denied an education because not much was expected of them just because of the color of their skin. This storyline is one that occurs way too often in what is now a society that should be well past racial and socio economic discrimination. Americans need to continue to be reminded of the on going level of prejudice that still exists and Freedom Writers is able to do just that. By the end of this movie, viewers are given a definitive sense of hope. A sense that fighting for something, even if there's nothing in it for you, is still worth it. Mrs. Gruwell is able to single handedly change each of her student's lives in a dramatic way just by simply giving them a chance that others wouldn't. Gruwell believed that these kids all deserved an opportunity at an education and at a better life. Along with teaching her students about poetry and literature, Mrs. Gruwell was also able to teach these kids to fight for what they believed in and for what they deserved.Freedom Writers is able to distinctly show the power of an education to young viewers. In a time where education is taken for granted by privileged children, this movie is able to blatantly show that not everyone is easily given an education. These students, with the help of Mrs. Gruwell, had to fight for what they so rightfully deserved a shot at. It's bad enough that kids, like these in Freedom Writers, have to worry about where their next meal will be coming from, they should at least not have to worry about where their education is going to come from.The affect that this movie can have on one can be quite powerful. These affects will definitely be different depending on who is watching in the audience. As an underprivileged youth, this movie could give one a sense of hope that their life can improve, especially when the power of education is involved. It could show them that their future isn't defined by the color of their skin or any other characteristics for that matter. On the other hand, Freedom Writers could have a very different affect on someone who is more privileged. For someone who is able to easily attain an education, this movie would show him or her that not everyone is as lucky as they are. That education isn't something that is just handed out. Some people have to actually fight for it. It would teach them to be grateful for what they have and more aware of the society that we live in. It would also show someone the influence that they could have upon someone else's life simply by believing in him or her.Overall, Freedom Writers is a realistic movie that members of all different backgrounds could learn valuable and important lessons from. Along with the lessons, is the fact that this is simply an emotionally enjoyable movie for audiences of different ages.

Freedom Writers is a loosely based story about a young school teacher named Erin Gruwell (played by Hilary Swank) who chose to start her teaching career at a high school that had two years earlier integrated low income students from other districts. This is a story that is filled with a class room of young student's whose tragic lives don't seem to have any hope for a future except to survive amongst their own culture(s) for protection in fear of being harmed otherwise.The film is somewhat violent and has a negative downtrodden tone for the first 40 minutes but if you persevere, I promise there is a turning point in the film that will tug at your heart, instill pride in these students and a belief that with just one great teacher, one mentor who believes in you, YOU can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.It is a story about understanding one another's struggles and sometimes we begin to realize that our own struggles pale in comparison to others, if we are willing to understand the people around us, and the challenges some of them have overcome.I see some parallels between Freedom Writers and the journey many individuals encounter when developing and delivering any training in almost any field one can imagine. Although not as dramatic, I believe from time to time your students may feel that the task is too big, and the training is too complex, and so what is the point? Well I trust this film will inspire you individuals who are Trainers to mentor your class of students to persevere and to encourage them to hang in there as they will see that if you work together and support one another that work and life is so much more fulfilling.I forewarned you that the first 40 minutes are a bit violent and edgy, but the remainder of the film is nothing but an inspirational film based on tolerance, caring, and perseverance, with an emphasis that we are all just people trying to get along. There are some scenes that may bring you to tears with the love that Mrs. Gruwell embraces her multi-cultural class with, but that is not the parallel I see. I see a long journey ahead with good days and some bad days but if we hang in there together your journey and your students' journey will be rewarding.My favorite scene in Freedom Writers occurs at the 1 hour, 27 minute, 35 second interval. I hope you enjoy Freedom Writers and feel inspired! Good luck on your own journeys.A perfect 10/10

Never in a million years did I think MTV Studios would make a good movie. Now , I'm sure not a lot of people have ever heard of Freedom Writers, but it is about a new teacher who gets her first job at a high school in Long Beach California. The film takes place in 1994 and during that time there was a lot of gang violence and since the schools were integrated, students and even teachers didn't really care about education. This one teacher dedicates all of her time to these kids and to help them and the bond they form is incredible. This made an interesting film and a little hard to believe, even though it was based on a true story.I loved the characters in this movie. Each student had a different story and their storied brought them together. Marcus, Eva, and Jamal are among my favorites. The story really focuses on Mrs. G. and her teaching. She was the best character in the movie with her dedication and love for her job but every time I saw her and her husband on screen I just wanted to turn it off. I understand his purpose and it but it was boring and slowed the pace. Eva and her struggles in her life but in the end it is kind of unsatisfying. She witnessed one of her own people, meaning Latin American, gun down and murder another man and she was to testify in court. Her family and friends told her to lie to protect her own people. They are in a war, and the war is something every student can relate to. In the movie she testifies but we never find out what happens afterMarcus was a character who surprised me. He got kicked out of his moms place when he started getting into drugs and gang violence and he gave up on school. He completely develops into a strong character with an even stronger heart and voice. Mrs. G. tried to teach them about the Holocaust and the Diary of Anne Frank. She thought the kids would relate, and they did and that was a big part in them coming together. Marcus is one character I would say gets justice. His story ends properly and it is satisfying. There were no questions to be asked.Jamal is a character that just drops off the face of the Earth. In the beginning he is very active and he makes an impact, but then he slips away and is kind of forgotten. It's a shame because he had so much potential and strengths as a character. Andre is the opposite. I the beginning he is hardly noticeable and in the end he is a focal point, but again, his story isn't wrapped up. It left me asking, "ok, then what happened?" It was frustrating. The movie ends in the right place but we don' know how the kids end with their present problems. We get a blurb before the credits roll but to me it wasn't enough.I like this movie a lot, the way Mrs. G. connected with her students and changed them was just fun to watch. You can't help but feel happy when old enemies become friends. It is even crazier that this was a true story. I think it was exaggerated for Hollywood but they were like a family. Most of them didn't have family and the conflict in the movie is how long they will stay together. At least I think that is the conflict. There really is no major conflict, but more like three or four minor conflicts. It is different and it worked so touché to the director. The Holocaust became a symbol throughout the entire movie. It connected the kids along with the journals and I loved how it was used throughout the entire movie. Jamal was the one everyone made fun of and Tito drew a picture of him with bi lips and Mrs. G. found it in class. She went on a speech about propaganda the Holocaust. None of the students had heard of the Holocaust. She took them to the Holocaust museum and had her talk to Holocaust survivors. Somehow, they connected the Holocaust with their life style. Their stores were all so sad and deep and Mrs. G. really helped them.Her teaching methods for these kids were outstanding. My favorite scene is when she plays the line game. When she first said, "The line game." I had the same reaction as the students, which wasn't good. Then she asked the questions and got deeper and deeper into their lives. The students got to understand one another. They got little bits of respect and it was the first small step into a change in their life. The journal entries were absolutely brilliant as well. She had them write in their journals everyday about anything they wished and she would read the, if they liked. The kids just vented. They just told their story and their struggle and it helped Mrs. G. connect and understand with her students. And I'm a writer so I thought it was just smart in general. I had to ask myself, "Did the students really do all the work? Did they actually read the books?" in my mind it is kind of doubtful. Students today don't read under normal circumstances. These kids risk their lives walking outside. It is a little hard to believe they actually did all of their work, or even most of it.Overall, Freedom Writers is a good time with strong characters you will fall in love with and feel sorry for, but is also hard to believe. I'm sorry, you can't help but notice how Hollywood and cheesy the story and scenes can be. I still liked it a lot; I could watch it again and again. Freedom Writers gets the WillyT Honorable Mention.