We were reviewing poetry in my Honors English Class, and after that unit was over, my teacher allowed us to watch a movie of her choice. When I heard the name, "Freedom Writers", I was a bit skeptical; I thought it was going to be a boring movie about books. But after I watched it, my entire viewpoint on this (absolutely astonishing) movie was changed. I LOVED this movie. (I even cried at some portions). Erin was not going to back down from what was right. She changed these kids, and changed their lives. This movie made me look at things with a different perspective. I will definitely recommend this movie (plus the book) to everyone I know. People NEED to watch this movie. It's so amazing, and they'd love it.

I remember watching Freedom Writers in school, so you can understand what I mean already by more gloss than grit. To a younger audience, the film's detailing of racial tension in Long Beach, USA is really quite hard-hitting, but to a cinephile like myself and anyone else who's seen films like American History X and how powerful they can be. Freedom Writers is a far more watered down account of racism and gang warfare, even sometimes stooping to "Step Up" levels of bittersweetness. I've still given it a 7 out of 10 because whilst I feel it is inaccurate, the film was thoroughly enjoyable because of its young cast of talented unknowns and an extremely good performance from Hilary Swank with an insightful script to work with. Note the discussion of the Holocaust as one of the best scenes.

Freedom Writers has been lying in my computer for quite some time and I didn't watch it for I thought it wouldn't be interesting! But when I started watching the movie I had my eyes glued to the screen! It is such an interesting movie and gives very good and constructive message to all its viewers.*** Spoiler Alert *** In the movie they show that Ms. G.'s husband decides to leave her after she gets too involved with her children depicts not only Scott but how most men are not supportive towards their wives' successes and achievements. To see how dedicated a teacher G is, is also very nice and the idea of teaching students how they want to be taught, without even the support of the authorities really raises the status and importance of teachers, depicting also how dedicated some teachers are! Very emotional, very good movie!

The classic white savior teacher who rescues the class of minority students from their cemented fate as gang bangers. Of course there is the token awkward, shy white kid who lacks the ability to dance, and the evil white teachers who refuse to give books to the students. The hoop earring wearing Latina girl with an attitude, and a plethora of troubled young black man who are secretly sensitive and intellectual. I am inclined to agree with the teacher who said it is ridiculous to compare these kids to Anne frank. They are growing up in one of the best countries in the world. I fail to sympathize too much with their plight. Perhaps if they were Somalian villagers I would feel more empathy, but the truth is this country has many free learning resources and minority scholarships, and if they tried to make something of their life they could. Yes, I realize it was a true story, but I just don't like the way they presented it. As if living in the inner city is soo tough and we are required to sympathize. I find myself rolling my eyes at statements like "we fight for territory" To be honest, the person I sympathized most with was the failure husband, pushed to the side by his wife, and too old to realistically pursue his dreams. maybe I'm being a bit harsh here. I have never been shot at walking down the street. but as a child I was very poor; we had no furniture, no heat, no plumbing, no electricity, and literally no money. I don't think that I had it very bad, and I don't think these kids did either, compared to a significant portion of the human race. Thats not to say that I hated this movie. I just wish for once someone could make a movie about inner city life that it not preachy, but simply showing it like it is without trying to make any statements.