Freedom Writers (2007)

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not ANOTHER movie about a white teacher who teaches in an urban school and teaches the black kids how they could improve themselves.

first of all, this film has been done 500 times before.

second of all, the only white teachers you'll find in REAL LIFE urban schools are the ones doing their undergrads in there, and once they graduate, they will run as fast as they can... read more

My initial thoughts during the first act of this film we're exactly the same as our other reviewer here. Holy hell, how many times are they going to remake Dangerous Minds??

Although I did at this stage recognise Freedom Writers was displaying a lot more depth as the afore-mentioned Michelle Pfieffer vehicle.

It was only when we got to the holocaust and the journal ... read more

Erin Gruwell, a newly appointed English teacher (Hilary Swank), tries to educate her at-risk students.

While I do agree that this film has been done 500 times before, this is one of those films that deserves to be seen. The actors playing the students were well-directed and there are some gems in there - including Weeds' actor Hunter Parrish.
I've never much cared for Hilary ... read more

Hilary Swank stars as a young teacher who inspires her at-risk students in this moving drama based on true events. Erin Gruwell (Swank) assigns her class an ambitious project: While studying works such as The Diary of Anne Frank, the kids keep journals about their troubled lives, applying history's lessons to break the cycle of violence and despair that threatens their futures. Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey co-star.