|
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk
Though the "inspirational teacher" theme may feel done to death, Freedom Writers succeeds because it emphasizes the students as much as the teacher. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry) comes to a southern California high school bubbling over with naive optimism, but quickly discovers that her unruly classroom isn't easily won over by her good intentions. After a few floundering attempts to connect with her students, Gruwell gives them the assignment of keeping journals about their own lives - an assignment that the class bites into with relish, which eventually bonds them together and pushes racial rivalries aside. This plotline has been made before, sometimes well, sometimes poorly. Freedom Writers, by drawing heavily from the published journals of the students (and thanks to a mostly unheroic script, direction that emphasizes individual characters over stereotypes, and rigorous performances from the whole cast)makes the story seem fresh and genuine. Swank does solid work, but the standouts are April L. Hernandez as a girl whose gang wants her to lie and send an innocent boy to jail and Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) as a teacher who resents Gruwell's offbeat success. Also featuring Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy), Scott Glenn (The Right Stuff), and a plethora of strong young actors. --Bret Fetzer
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Set amidst a backdrop of gang violence in L.A, novice teacher Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) sets about educating a racial mixed class of underprivileged students.
what unfolds is the usual story of poorer children being denied a decent education by those within the system who uphold the prejudices of the wider society. Of course up steps the naive, initiatly inept and well meaning Gruwell in attempt to help.
This storyline has been done before, in Dangerous Minds, Coach Carter, Glory Road to mention but a few.
From a cynical, logical and detached point of view, all the age old maudlin, emotion evoking mechanisms employed by Hollywood are resorted to once more.
On a slightly more emotional note, I found some parts quite poignant when seeing the prejudice, lack of opportunity, neglect and abuse suffered by the characters. The issues I felt were approached from a realistic stance not from a melodramatic or sensationalist one. Unfortunately, the personal struggles contained herein are an accurate portrayal of those faced by the poorest children in America.
Race is an issue in this film and again it was dealt with a fairly realistic, non-sensationalist way. Again the racial aspect of poverty, crime, violence, lack of education was dealt with pretty well.
Gruwell's character is played well by Swank who conveys an air of naivety (at first) yet also sincerity, integrity, and a strong social conscience that drives her to challenge an educational system founded on extreme racial and class prejudices.
Even though this is a familiar storyline, Freedom Writers I found to be genuinely touching at times. Yes it is a typical 'feel good factor' Hollywood film done in a straight forward way, but there is still a strong social/political message attached.
what unfolds is the usual story of poorer children being denied a decent education by those within the system who uphold the prejudices of the wider society. Of course up steps the naive, initiatly inept and well meaning Gruwell in attempt to help.
This storyline has been done before, in Dangerous Minds, Coach Carter, Glory Road to mention but a few.
From a cynical, logical and detached point of view, all the age old maudlin, emotion evoking mechanisms employed by Hollywood are resorted to once more.
On a slightly more emotional note, I found some parts quite poignant when seeing the prejudice, lack of opportunity, neglect and abuse suffered by the characters. The issues I felt were approached from a realistic stance not from a melodramatic or sensationalist one. Unfortunately, the personal struggles contained herein are an accurate portrayal of those faced by the poorest children in America.
Race is an issue in this film and again it was dealt with a fairly realistic, non-sensationalist way. Again the racial aspect of poverty, crime, violence, lack of education was dealt with pretty well.
Gruwell's character is played well by Swank who conveys an air of naivety (at first) yet also sincerity, integrity, and a strong social conscience that drives her to challenge an educational system founded on extreme racial and class prejudices.
Even though this is a familiar storyline, Freedom Writers I found to be genuinely touching at times. Yes it is a typical 'feel good factor' Hollywood film done in a straight forward way, but there is still a strong social/political message attached.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For those emotionally secure people, such as myself, I found it hard to keep my emotionally secured feelings emotionally secured whilst watching this film. It was edited fantastically, shot brilliantly, acted amazingly and worked together to form a perfect whole.
There is, of course, the fact that it is an all too common issue, one which we see all too much of, to little effect. There is also the fact that the same old shootings and naive do-gooders make their respective appearances, however, the primary synopsis of the teacher trying to make herself understood, to a class trying to make themselves understood goes hand-in-hand for a movie that crescendoes and breaks the emotional barriers of the most secure people.
My friend cries at nothing. My friend sobbed in the cinema.
Watch it. Alone. Absorb. Then buy the book!
There is, of course, the fact that it is an all too common issue, one which we see all too much of, to little effect. There is also the fact that the same old shootings and naive do-gooders make their respective appearances, however, the primary synopsis of the teacher trying to make herself understood, to a class trying to make themselves understood goes hand-in-hand for a movie that crescendoes and breaks the emotional barriers of the most secure people.
My friend cries at nothing. My friend sobbed in the cinema.
Watch it. Alone. Absorb. Then buy the book!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Yes, you may have seen similar films like this but for me i think this film was great viewing as it wasn't about the pupils fitting in and having their lives turned around, it was also a teachers struggle to earn the respect of her pupils.
I've never seen a hilary swank film but gotta say she was really good in her role and most of all convincing.
With all what's going on i think this well worth watching and would recommend this to anyone.
I've never seen a hilary swank film but gotta say she was really good in her role and most of all convincing.
With all what's going on i think this well worth watching and would recommend this to anyone.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Freedom Writers
When I first saw the film on television,I loved it.So I rented the film first off Lovefilm and since I want the film forever I decided to buy it here coz there wasn't any at... Read more
Published 3 months ago by KC Maffia
The Diary of Anne Frank and the class of room 203.
Freedom Writers is written and directed by Richard LaGravenese, who adapts from the Freedom Writers Diary written by Erin Gruwell and her class of students at Woodrow Wilson High... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Spike Owen
Very Touching
I watched this movie in class and it was very touching. The film shows how lucky we are here in the U.K. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr Segal's Class Review 2011
unforgettable
what makes this film different from all the others about similar subjects is that it is based on a true story. The kids actually did all the things which happened in the film. Read more
Published 7 months ago by B. Rushforth
Freedom Writers is it worth watching
I watched this film late at night. I was tired and really wanted to go to bed
But just had to watch it. Read more
But just had to watch it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Hedge
Freedom writers dvd
A touching film & even more so knowing it's a true story...... A very good watch and well worth the cost
Published 11 months ago by Locksey
Please watch this....
I can not recommend this film highly enough. You won't be able to watch this without having a tear in your eye.
Published 12 months ago by Becks W
Love this movie!
If you want a hard hitting, realistic movie that will have you crying one moment and laughing the next look no further than Freedom Writers. Read more
Published 14 months ago by D. Delalande
Very thought provoking
I watched this new purchase with interest I wondered where the subject material was leading when started with the guns but as i got into the storyline I felt it was really good &... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. Ip Mason
"Freedom Writers" Review
Excellent film. But as I'm a teacher did find it a bit unrealistic. She wins the kids over very easily! However, well worth buying.
Published 15 months ago by Tired mum, Chorley
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
