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Movie Review | 'Freedom Writers'

To Ms. With Love: A Teacher’s Heart Fords a Social Divide

By Manohla Dargis

• Jan. 5, 2007

As a cinematic subspecies, films about teachers working with throwaway kids tend to follow a predictable arc involving conflict and resolution, smooth beats and bitter tears. Sometimes, as with “Dangerous Minds,” the 1995 film in which Michelle Pfeiffer uses her cheekbones to disarm high school toughs, the results are risible. Sometimes, as with the egregiously offensive “187” (1997), wherein Samuel L. Jackson makes like Charles Bronson with some bad students, it’s an argument for universal home schooling.

“Freedom Writers,” a true story about a white teacher trying to make a difference in a room crammed with black, Latino and Asian high school freshmen, has the makings of another groaner. One worrisome sign is Hilary Swank, the two-time Academy Award winner with the avid smile who recently vamped across screens as a femme fatale in Brian De Palma’s period thriller “The Black Dahlia.” Ms. Swank is an appealing actress of, at least to date, fairly restricted range. In her finest roles — a transgender man in “Boys Don’t Cry,” a boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” — she plays women whose hard-angled limbs and squared jaws never fully obscure a desperate, at times almost embarrassingly naked neediness.

In “Freedom Writers” Ms. Swank uses that neediness to fine effect in a film with a strong emotional tug and smartly laid foundation. She plays Erin Gruwell, who in 1994 was a 23-year-old student teacher assigned to teach freshman English at Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif.

Twenty-two miles from downtown Los Angeles, this ethnically diverse port city, birthplace of both Bo Derek and Snoop Dogg, is south of Compton (home of N.W.A.), right at the edge of Orange County (home of “The O.C.”). In 1992 the Rodney King riots that rocked Los Angeles spilled into Long Beach; recently the city made news for an alleged hate crime involving black teenagers charged with severely beating three white women.

By the time Erin steps into her classroom, a scant two years after the riots, the climate inside is at once frosty and scorching. Turned out in a cherry-red suit and black pumps, her strand of pearls gleaming as bright as her teeth, Erin cuts an unavoidably awkward, borderline goofy figure.

The students are understandably skeptical, excruciatingly contemptuous. From where they sit, slumped and hunched, some with their backs literally turned away from the front of the room, Erin looks like the stranger she is. She’s an interloper, a do-gooder, a visitor from another planet called Newport Beach, and the class sees through her as if she were glass because the writer and director Richard LaGravenese makes sure that we do too.

Funny how point of view works. If so many films about so-called troubled teenagers come off as little more than exploitation, it’s often because the filmmakers are not really interested in them, just their dysfunction. “Freedom Writers,” by contrast, isn’t only about an amazingly dedicated young teacher who took on two extra jobs to buy supplies for her students (to supplement, as Mr. LaGravenese carefully points out, a $27,000 salary); it’s also, emphatically, about some extraordinary young people. In this respect Mr. LaGravenese, whose diverse writing credits include “The Ref” and “The Bridges of Madison County,” appears to have taken his egalitarian cue from the real Erin Gruwell, who shares author credit with her students in their 1999 book, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” a collection of their journal entries.

Mr. LaGravenese keeps faith with the multiple perspectives in the book, which includes Ms. Gruwell’s voice and those of her students, whose first-person narratives pay witness to the effects of brutalizing violence, dangerous tribal allegiances and institutional neglect. The film pops in on Erin and her increasingly troubled relationship with her husband, Scott (Patrick Dempsey), and there’s a really lovely scene between the two that finds them talking ruefully over a bottle of wine about the divide between fantasy and reality in marriage, a divide one partner tries to bridge and the other walks away from. But while we keep time with Erin, we also listen to the teenagers, several of whom tell their stories in voice-over.

Among the most important of those stories is that of Eva (the newcomer April Lee Hernandez), whose voice is among the first we hear in the film. Through quick flashbacks and snapshot scenes of the present, Eva’s young life unfolds with crushing predictability. From her front steps, this 9-year-old watches as her cousin is gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Later her father is arrested; she’s initiated into a gang. One day, while walking with a friend under the glorious California sun, a couple of guys pull up in a car and start firing in their direction. Eva dodges bullets and embraces violence because she knows nothing else; she hates everyone, including her white teacher, because no one has ever given her a reason not to.

In time Eva stops hating Erin, though the bullets keep coming. It’s a hard journey for both women, one that includes other students, most of whom are played by actors who look too old for their roles and are nonetheless very affecting. None of these actors are outstanding, but two are memorable: the singer Mario, who plays an angry drug dealer, Andre, and another newcomer, Jason Finn, whose big, soft, moon face swells with fury and vulnerability as a homeless teenager named Marcus.

Mr. LaGravenese isn’t a natural-born filmmaker, but he’s a smart screenwriter whose commitment to characters like Marcus makes up for the rough patches in his directing. Like Ms. Swank, who shares the screen comfortably with her younger co-stars, he gives credit where credit is due.

“Freedom Writers” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). There is some gun violence and adult language.

The headline for a film review in Weekend on Friday about “Freedom Writers” misidentified the California city in which the movie is set. It is Long Beach, not Los Angeles.

The listing of credits omitted a producer. Danny DeVito was a producer, along with Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg.

How we handle corrections

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Freedom writers.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 16 Reviews
• Kids Say 35 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Cynthia Fuchs , based on child development research. How do we rate?

True story of inspirational teacher; language, violence.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Freedom Writers is a 2007 movie in which Hilary Swank plays an idealistic young white teacher who inspires a group of "at-risk" students of color to believe in themselves. The movie is set in a Long Beach, California high school in the mid-1990s against the backdrop of deep racial…

Why Age 13+?

Repeated verbal and visual references to street/gun violence (the film opens wit

Erin and Scott drink wine several times; she gets drunk after an emotional uphea

Some profanity, including one dramatic use of "f--k you." "N" word used in a jou

Starbucks coffee cup clearly shown in one scene. Students drink Coca-Cola Classi

Allusions to teen pregnancy, some kissing between high school couples, girls in

Any Positive Content?

While based on a true story in which "at-risk" students of color learn to value

Lead character is an idealistic teacher determined to reach the "at-risk" studen

Violence & Scariness

Repeated verbal and visual references to street/gun violence (the film opens with clips from the Rodney King tape, riots in Los Angeles, and reports on murders in Long Beach). Brief but jolting fight between students (one pulls a gun). A shooting in a minimart leaves one boy with a bloody bullet wound in chest. Discussions about losing friends to shootings, as well as historical systems of oppression (specifically, the Holocaust); descriptions of Holocaust violence. While writing in their journals, flashback scenes show students who have witnessed drive-by shootings, domestic abuse, and a memory a teen shares when, as a young boy, his best friend shows him a handgun while they sit on a park bench before his best friend accidentally shoots himself and dies.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Erin and Scott drink wine several times; she gets drunk after an emotional upheaval. Lead character's father drinks whiskey at dinner.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Some profanity, including one dramatic use of "f--k you." "N" word used in a journal entry. Racial slurs against Asian characters, and during a racially-charged classroom conflict, one character yells, "Get your ass back to China." "Bulls--t," "s--t," "bitch," "goddamn," "ass."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Starbucks coffee cup clearly shown in one scene. Students drink Coca-Cola Classic. Teacher gives out gift bags from Borders Books. Lead character also works at a Mariott Hotel.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Allusions to teen pregnancy, some kissing between high school couples, girls in tight outfits. Some kissing and innuendo between a married couple.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

While based on a true story in which "at-risk" students of color learn to value their self worth and their futures with the help of an idealistic young white teacher, the movie also clearly falls into the "white savior narrative." That said, students find ways to discover their inner strength and a way to express themselves by writing in their journals, and develop an understanding of a world beyond their neighborhoods through reading, writing, and through meeting with Holocaust survivors.

Positive Role Models

Lead character is an idealistic teacher determined to reach the "at-risk" students she teaches. She helps to foster a community in the class, one that goes beyond the racial tensions and difficult home lives many of the students face outside the classroom. As a result of the work in her classroom, in real life, the student journal writing led to the publication of "The Freedom Writers Diary," and the creation of the Freedom Writers Foundation. At the same time, this movie is part of a larger pattern of the "white savior narrative" in film, and should be examined as such.

Parents need to know that Freedom Writers is a 2007 movie in which Hilary Swank plays an idealistic young white teacher who inspires a group of "at-risk" students of color to believe in themselves. The movie is set in a Long Beach, California high school in the mid-1990s against the backdrop of deep racial tensions in the aftermath of the Rodney King beating by police officers. Characters are killed in drive-by shootings. One of the characters is shown getting beaten up in a gang initiation. Gang violence, loss of a friend or family member, and the Holocaust are addressed. Kids argue with each other, including a scene in which characters use racial slurs to describe Asians. teacher. Students discuss the Holocaust, Anne Frank, and meet a survivor who describes her ordeal. Students write about their losses in their journals, which the teacher reads out loud or in voiceover; these scenes depict memories of shootings (including a young boy accidentally shooting himself and dying on a park bench), and domestic abuse. Profanity includes use of the "N" word in a journal entry, and a dramatic use of "f--k you." While the movie is based on a true story, families should take the opportunity to discuss it in the context of the "white savior narrative," and how and why movies like these can be problematic as America comes to grips with the far-reaching effects of systemic racism. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (16)
• Kids say (35)

Based on 16 parent reviews

This Movie Is Awesome

What's the story.

In FREEDOM WRITERS, enthusiastic and innocent teacher Erin Gruwell ( Hilary Swank ) arrives at a high school in Long Beach just after the L.A. uprising in 1992, aiming to follow in her civil rights activist father's footsteps. Erin's first few days at school are daunting: She witnesses a fight, sees a boy pull out a gun, and endures taunts from her students, who see themselves as their other teachers see them: the "ghetto-ass class" unworthy of attention or time. Erin is also discouraged by her cynical colleagues but she persists, seeking ways to connect with her students. Finally, one of them -- distrustful Eva (April Lee Hernandez) -- explains her rage: "White people running this world," she says. "I saw white cops shoot my friend in the back for reaching into his pocket. They can because they're white. I hate white people on sight." Erin realizes that since her students self-segregate by race, they never learn one another's stories. So, she has them stand together in the classroom when they've shared an experience, like losing a friend to violence. They begin to recognize their similarities. As the students write about their lives in a "war zone," Erin also has them visit L.A.'s Holocaust museum and read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl . Moved by Frank's story, the kids raise money to bring Miep Gies (Pat Carroll), the woman who hid Frank from the Nazis, to campus.

Is It Any Good?

This deeply earnest drama follows a familiar storyline. An idealistic young teacher inspires her "at-risk" urban students to respect each other and themselves. She's white, they're mostly of color; she's clueless about their harsh lives, they initially resent her cluelessness but learn to appreciate her efforts to understand them. It's this last part that makes director Richard LaGravenese's film work, despite its many clichés. Erin Gruwell ( Hilary Swank ) makes a difference by asking her students to talk to her and each other -- and acting on what they say.

The plot is predicable, the actors too old to play high school students, and the pacing too slow. And really, the camera circles around deep-thinking faces a few too many times. But Freedom Writers also argues for listening to teenagers. That in itself makes it a rare and close-to-wonderful thing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the way that Erin engages her students -- by listening to them. How is this an effective way to teach? How do the students learn from one other when they share their stories?

How is this movie an example of the "white savior narrative?" What are some other examples of movies in which people of color struggle to find their way in the world until a white protagonist comes along and finds their true calling in life by saving the people of color from their circumstances?

This is a movie based on a true story. What aspects of the story do you think actually happened, and what aspects do you think were heightened or exaggerated for the sake of creating more drama and conflict in the movie?

Movie Details

• In theaters : January 4, 2007
• On DVD or streaming : April 17, 2007
• Cast : Hilary Swank , Imelda Staunton , Patrick Dempsey
• Director : Richard LaGravenese
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Paramount Pictures
• Genre : Drama
• Run time : 123 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : violent content, some thematic material and language.
• Last updated : September 12, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Stand and Deliver

Coach Carter

Movies with inspiring teachers, movies that inspire kids to change the world.

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Freedom Writers Reviews

LaGravenese tends to simplify and lean on the melodrama but he tells the stories of the students with compassion, notably Eve (April Lee Hernandez), who has grown up in a war zone of an inner city defined by ethnic boundaries.

Full Review | Aug 19, 2023

This film delivered an injection of fresh ideas into a stale genre.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 21, 2022

A touching performance from Hilary Swank ensures that Freedom Writers is not just another tripe genre movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 3, 2018

The movie benefits from an interesting subject and good acting, I just wish it were more focused and deep.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Jul 3, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 9, 2011

A richly rewarding film experience that rises to the top of its genre.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Jan 4, 2008

While it is, like its genre brethren, inspiring and uplifting, Freedom Writers glosses over so much material that it makes the process look too easy.

Full Review | Aug 13, 2007

Ironically, the film features almost zero teaching. Despite much pedagogical posturing, it doesn't teach us much, either.

Full Review | Original Score: C- | Aug 4, 2007

Worthwhile because of its honesty, because it tells a true story that's worth telling, and because Hilary Swank and company have done it so well.

Full Review | Original Score: 82/100 | Jul 16, 2007

Is this film formulaic? Yes. Does it accomplish what it set out to do? Yes. ... It's certainly not a perfect movie but it does offer many pleasures.

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Jul 14, 2007

Swank's earthiness is key here, and she consistently rises above the story's cliches.

Full Review | Jul 10, 2007

The script won't win any stars for originality, it's all put across with enough sincerity to make the corn easy to swallow.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 30, 2007

Hilary Swank is all heart in this uplifting film about kids from the wrong side of the track who become inspired to learn and do the right thing.

Full Review | Mar 16, 2007

yet another feel-good teacher flick that will leave most audiences satisfied

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 7, 2007

An Inspirational Teacher Movie that is moving, thought-provoking and succeeds in being genuinely inspiring.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 1, 2007

This is moving stuff, thoughtfully handled and well performed.

Full Review | Feb 27, 2007

It may only deserve a C for achievement, but it ranks a B+ for effort.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 27, 2007

You'll be embarrassed, sad, happy then exhausted.

Has its inspiring moments - especially given the true story - and some tense, dramatic scenes amid the speedy montages of confusing gang action.

Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there's nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers as anything beyond a C+.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 27, 2007

Freedom Writers (United States, 2007)

The key to making a successful formula motion picture is to infuse it with energy and add a few original elements. The overall product might seem familiar but that doesn't mean it can't be an enjoyable viewing experience. This is true regardless of the formula: underdog sports hero, boy meets girl, or unconventional teacher who makes a difference. Freedom Writers falls into the latter category and, as often seems to be the case with movies of this genre, it is based on a true story. Writer/director Richard LaGravenese (whose previous screenplays include The Fisher King and The Bridges of Madison County ) does what competent filmmakers do with these Dangerous Minds tales - he takes the basic facts and massages them until they are suitably cinematic. The MTV imprimatur indicates the movie is being targeted at teenagers.

The film is set in Long Beach shortly after the L.A. riots. Hilary Swank plays Erin Gruwell, a crusading young woman who believes the way to stop racial hatred is to influence young minds. To that aim, she applies to work in a forcibly integrated school where the students are divided into four camps: whites, Latinos, Cambodians, and blacks. Her lofty goals are not shared by her department head, Margaret Campbell (Imelda Staunton), her ex-activist father (Scott Glenn), or her neglected husband, Scott (Patrick Dempsey). Erin's first few days in class are a rude awakening, but a discussion about Hitler and the Holocaust opens unexpected doors and the teacher begins to connect with some of her students, including the hardcore Eva (April Lee Hernandez) and the closed-off Andre (Mario). Erin then hands out composition books and has the teenagers make daily entries. In 1999, those "assignments" were published as The Freedom Writers Diary , which is the source material for the movie.

The bottom line premise - that Erin changes the lives of her students while they change her - lies at the core of every similar movie. But the means are refreshingly different. Erin finds ways to compare Hitler's actions against the Jews to instances of gang violence. Although it may seem to be a stretch, making these similarities gives Erin an entrance into her pupils' world. When she hands out copies of The Diary of Ann Frank , the kids are engrossed. Erin's assignment for them to write letters to Miep Gies (Pat Carroll), the woman who hid Ann from the Nazis, results in a visit from the elderly lady, whom one black student labels as his "hero."

The structure is awkward. The emotional climax of Freedom Writers comes 90 minutes into the film with the arrival of Miep Gies and the life-altering choice made by one of the students as a result. However, LaGravenese keeps things going for 30 more minutes, and Freedom Writers begins to wear out its welcome. There's another emotional moment at the end, but it feels contrived. While the one at the 1:30 mark has a ring of authenticity, the one at the film's end feels like it's all Hollywood.

There's also something strange going on with Erin's pearl necklace. During the first 20 minutes, an inordinate amount of attention is paid to that piece of jewelry. We are sure it's going to be stolen. Then, unexpectedly, this plot element is dropped. Has the necklace been pilfered? Has she stopped wearing it? Is the fact that it isn't stolen proof that the kids aren't thugs? We don't know because the movie doesn't tell us. I'm sure something ended up on the cutting room floor, but what remains in the final version is sloppy. LaGravenese should have either provided a resolution or found a cleaner way to assemble the theatrical print. It's not a big thing but it is annoying.

The film mixes new, young talent with experienced veterans. The best of the former is April Lee Hernandez, who possesses a "firecracker" quality that could lead to bigger roles. Her Eva is part of a high school ensemble but she stands out. Thus far, Hernandez's credits are primarily TV guest spots, but there's no reason she couldn't graduate to more visible parts. (As might be expected the Ms. Gruwell's "freshmen" are often played by actors in their early 20s. Work hours for actual teenagers are too restrictive.) Hilary Swank smiles her way through the early part of the movie then develops a harder edge later in the proceedings. It's nice to see Scott Glenn (who has primarily been doing TV since the turn of the century), although his role is of limited importance. Patrick Dempsey is underused; one suspects he took this role before Gray's Anatomy boosted his image.

Freedom Writers delivers the expected messages about hope and the ability to change one's destiny, and does it in a manner that it is emotionally and intellectually satisfying. This isn't a great movie, but it is effective drama where the big emotional scenes more often feel real than contrived. Through voiceovers, LaGravenese uses passages lifted from the actual students' diaries to provide the framework for the secondary stories (those of the teenagers), thereby lending a ring of authenticity. For those who see it, the movie has a chance to connect. Freedom Writers is superior to what film-goers typically expect from an early January release.

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Freedom Writers: A Tale of Resilience, Inspiration, and the Power of Education

With a touch of grit and resilience, we venture into the throes of a must-watch film that provides a depiction of societal unrest through an educational lens, “ Freedom Writers .” The film, which championed the theaters on January 5, 2007, has since maintained its profound relevance, offering an insight into the transformative power of education in the face of adversity.

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“Freedom Writers,” a compelling American drama based on real events, has a unique ability to tug on the heartstrings while simultaneously challenging our perceptions and understanding of society. Among such productions, where the pathos of real experiences translates into inspiring narratives, a recommendation to watch “Freedom Writers” is made with immense confidence.

Actor Credentials

The movie features a stellar cast contributing to its riveting texture. Their performance takes the film to a whole new level, with the inclusion of celebrated actress Hilary Swank , whose portrayal of Erin Gruwell is very compelling. It also stars Imelda Staunton , Patrick Dempsey , and several other promising actors who, despite experiencing the limelight for the first time, managed to pull off remarkable performances.

The Story that Inspires

The movie brilliantly showcases the true story of a first-time English teacher – Erin Gruwell , who, having been posted to a racially integrated high school, is confronted by students who have been marred by gang violence and societal tension. The show of diversity within the classroom setting is one laden with deep-rooted racial tension and resentment, which adds a layer of tangible conflict to the narrative.

Erin Gruwell’s Courage

Swank plays a dedicated teacher who channels unconventional teaching methods to reach out to her disoriented and defiant students. Gruwell’s character showcases immense grit and inner strength as she penetrates the hard shells of her students and inspires them to look beyond their gang-ridden and violence-stricken environments. The characters, hence, unlearn their prejudices and learn to view life from different perspectives, awarding the narrative a deep-rooted connection to its audience.

Elements of Surprise and Trivia

A fact worth noting that adds an extra layer of interest is that this film was based on “The Freedom Writers Diary,” which is a compilation of diary entries by the real-life students of Gruwell. Adding to the rich tapestry of trivia, the film’s title “Freedom Writers” plays upon the term “Freedom Riders,” a name given to the civil rights activists who tested the U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the desegregation of interstate buses in the sixties.

Cast-Teacher Interactions

Interestingly, the cast members who played the students were not professional actors; rather, they were selected from high school students who shared similar life experiences as the characters they portrayed. This adds an unfiltered realism to the film, making it widely appreciated, relatable, and compelling.

Release and Reception

Having been released in early 2007, “Freedom Writers” received a warm response from viewers, proving the effectiveness of transforming real experiences into inspiring narratives. It was touted as a movie that sheds light on the systemic issues in education, asserts the underlying power of resilience and determination, and the role of a teacher in molding the future of society.

Criticism and Controversy: 

While “Freedom Writers” has enjoyed much acclaim for its inspiring narrative and compelling performances, it has not been immune to its fair share of criticisms and controversies. 

Stereotypical Portrayal

Critics argue that “Freedom Writers” is yet another addition to the throng of “white savior” narratives common to the Hollywood scene. This trope refers to the centralization of the white protagonistic figure who brings about empowerment to the marginalized or discriminated communities, with the former seemingly transforming the lives of the latter single-handedly. 

These critics argue that such portrayals unintentionally minimize the agency of the marginalized students and place the credit of such transformation solely in the hands of the white teacher, thereby undermining the effort, struggle, and resilience of the students themselves.

Lack of Attention to Systemic Fix

A few critics voiced out that the film focuses heavily on the narrative of a single class and the adversities they overcome under the guidance of Ms. Gruwell, overlooking the broader issue of system-wide failures in education. Critics argue that the movie does not present a solution to the bigger and more pressing problem of the failing public education system. 

Sensationalism

“ Freedom Writers ,” despite being based on a true story, has faced criticism for indulging in dramatic license. Critics say that the film leans on sensationalism to draw the audience’s empathy and interest, thus blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Despite such criticism, one cannot deny that “Freedom Writers” has struck a chord with many viewers, educators, and students alike. It brings to light the power of innovative teaching and the profound impact it can have on students living through violence and adversity. While keeping in mind the criticism, it is essential to watch “Freedom Writers” as a testament to the power of sheer determination, resilience, and compassion in the face of struggle. The criticism surrounding the movie provides another compelling reason to watch “Freedom Writers,” engaging in a critical analysis of the systemic issues beyond the storyline.

The Cast of “Freedom Writers”:

Hilary Swank as Erin Gruwell

A two-time Academy Award winner, Hilary Swank received significant acclaim for her performance in Freedom Writers. In her role as teacher Erin Gruwell, Swank navigates a broad emotional spectrum, transitioning from an optimistic and naive educator to a determined mentor who drives her students to achieve their fullest potential. Hilary Swank has earned her reputation as one of Hollywood’s leading ladies, with notable roles in films like “ Million Dollar Baby ” and “ Boys Don’t Cry .”

Patrick Dempsey as Scott Casey

Patrick Dempsey, famous for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd in the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” played the part of Scott Casey in “Freedom Writers.” Scott is Erin’s supportive husband who initially shares in her enthusiasm for changing her students’ lives but becomes increasingly frustrated as Erin’s dedication to her job strains their relationship. Dempsey’s overlapping roles in “ Grey’s Anatomy ” and “Freedom Writers” show his convincing portrayal of loving and supportive, yet conflicted characters.

Imelda Staunton as Margaret Campbell

The film also stars Imelda Staunton, renowned for her role as Professor Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series. She plays the character Margaret Campbell, the head of department at Wilson High School who clashes with Erin over her unconventional teaching methods and deviation from the school’s curriculum. Staunton’s performance in this role adds depth to the narrative and challenges the protagonist and viewers to consider the bureaucracy often present in educational systems.

April Lee Hernández as Eva Benitez

Perhaps one of the most notable performances in “Freedom Writers” comes from April Lee Hernández, who plays Eva Benitez – a Hispanic girl with gang affiliations. Her powerful portrayal of a troubled student stuck between loyalty to her gang and the aspiration for a better life showcases the circumstances many students in such situations face. April is a poet and actress and her work outside the film industry also includes being an advocate against domestic violence.

Jason Finn as Marcus

Jason Finn plays Marcus, one of the students who evolves the most during the film. His character grows from a quiet, reserved student to one who actively participates in classroom discussions and becomes an enthusiastic learner. His character showcases a transition from a tragic past life to one that holds hope and promise, thus amplifying the emotional depth of the film.

The Enthralling Trailer of “Freedom Writers”: An Insightful Sneak Peek

“Freedom Writers” is more than a film. It’s a reflection of society. A catalyst for change. It’s a beacon of hope, not just for those who are a part of the education system, but for anyone with a dream to make the world a better place. The characters’ evolution, the captivating storyline, and the impactful performances of the cast make watching “Freedom Writers” not just a visual treat, but an illuminating journey of  perspective.

By taking the viewer into the heart of societal ripples, this film manages to perpetuate the discourse on race, resilience, and education. Each of its subtleties serves as a reminder and an inspiration, demonstrating both the challenges and the possibilities we face in an evolving society. Indeed, “Freedom Writers” continues to resonate in the minds of its audience even years after its release.

In essence, the movie teaches us life-affirming lessons about understanding, compassion, and the power of resilience. With its potent depiction of strength in adversity, “ Freedom Writers ” is a film that demands to be seen. The introduction to the review stated, watch “Freedom Writers,” and as we end, we reiterate – give “Freedom Writers” a watch, not just as a cinematic piece but as a social mirror and catalyst for change.

drama education Freedom Writers Hilary Swank Inspirational Movie Review Patrick Dempsey Social Issues Watch Freedom Writers.

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Freedom Writers Review

02 Mar 2007

123 minutes

Freedom Writers

Enthusiastic white teacher takes a job educating disillusioned ethnic-minority kids from LA’s gang-torn suburbs and turns a bunch of tetchy no-hopers into students who would make America proud. Veteran screenwriter Richard LaGravenese has hardly picked an original storyline for his first major feature as director, and comparisons with the likes of The Emperor’s Club, Coach Carter and, most obviously, Dangerous Minds are inevitable — and fair.

Like Minds, Freedom Writers is Based On A True Story — in this instance that of novice teacher Erin Gruwell, who sacrifices her time, her personal life, even her style of dress to bring some inspiration to her materially and emotionally deprived class — and, despite its clearly noble intentions, it plays as a vehicle for its female star, this time an ultra-perky Hilary Swank. Swank’s Erin redefines “determined”, unable to take no for an answer and as sweet and wholesome as Anneka Rice dipped in chocolate. To Swank’s credit, she doesn’t try to disguise how downright irritating such qualities can be, and it’s hard not to empathise with her students’ early hostility as she bounces around like a cheerleader on speed. That said, there is true grit here, and the actress brings a depth to a role that could have been blandly one-dimensional. As Erin’s home-life falls apart thanks to her commitment to her cause, there’s an interesting hint at the selfishness inherent in such a single-minded pursuit, however well-intentioned.

Patrick Dempsey, currently riding high on the phenomenal success of Grey’s Anatomy in the States, fares less well as Erin’s husband Scott. It’s hard to see why he took such an underwritten role. Still, the talented young cast (April Lee Hernandez is a standout) playing the students approach their roles with passion and sincerity, and as education is gradually revealed to be an opportunity to grow rather than a chore — Erin encouraging them to keep diaries of their innermost thoughts, these becoming the book on which the film is based — only the hardest of hearts could fail to get caught up in their newfound hopes and ambitions. It’s just a shame that the Hollywood sheen of this MTV-produced film dilutes the impact of a genuinely remarkable story.

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Movies | 12 05 2005

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• DVD & Streaming

Freedom Writers

Content caution.

In Theaters

• Hilary Swank as Erin Gruwell; Patrick Dempsey as Scott Casey; April Lee Hernandez as Eva; Imelda Staunton as Margaret Campbell; Jason Finn as Marcus; Mario as Andre

Home Release Date

• Richard LaGravenese

Distributor

• Paramount Pictures

Positive Elements   |   Spiritual Elements   |   Sexual & Romantic Content   |   Violent Content   |   Crude or Profane Language   |   Drug & Alcohol Content   |   Other Noteworthy Elements   | Conclusion

Movie Review

For the students of Wilson High School, their Long Beach, Calif., campus has become a war zone. Undefined boundaries separate the racially divided gangs and cliques—most prominently, the Asians, African-Americans, Latinos and whites.

Inside the classrooms, the territorial delineation is more distinct, as “at-risk” students from poorer neighborhoods are assigned separate classes from the “normal” suburban teens. Not that anybody’s there to learn. For these juvenile delinquents, gang members, drug pushers and underprivileged students, it’s a matter of being babysat during school hours—warehoused until they’re old enough to drop out on their own. That’s if they live to see the day.

In 1994, straight-out-of-college teacher Erin Gruwell (this story is based on her real-life feats) walks into this defective system with high hopes. The English teacher is ready to change the world, one classroom at a time. Her students and even other faculty members have other thoughts. Department head Margaret Campbell blasts Erin’s efforts with, “You can’t make someone want an education. The best you can do is make them obey and learn discipline.” One of her students puts things much more bluntly: “I’ll give this b–ch a week.”

Positive Elements

Freedom Writers could’ve just as easily been called Ode to a Teacher , considering the high praise it pours on educators who earnestly care about bettering their students. Despite her youth and inexperience, Erin is certainly praiseworthy for her passion to see kids escape the prison of their surroundings through proper education. As her father is apt to point out, she could’ve easily been a successful businesswoman or, at the very least, taught at a better school. Yet Erin truly wants to change the world—particularly for these teenagers who only know a world of abuse, addiction, violence and hate.

By underscoring what the divided class members have in common rather than their differences, she seeks to break down their walls and exposes their unfounded prejudice. And she’s determined to prove that what they’re studying is applicable to their lives. (To add relativity to their studies, she has her class write daily journal entries.)

Erin takes care to point out to her charges the irrationality and futility of racism. When she discovers a racist drawing is being passed around during class, she uses the moment to compare the students’ feelings toward each other to the rise of Nazi Germany and the eventual Holocaust. After a heated discussion, she’s aghast to discover that only one of her students (the lone suburban white kid) has even heard of the Holocaust. This launches an extensive study that, while proving how harmful racism is, also reminds the students that they’re not alone in their bleak situation.

Specifically, Erin uses The Diary of Anne Frank to show how, like them, a 13-year-old girl faced baseless hatred, bigotry, persecution and a system out to destroy her. (Lines from Frank’s original writings are poignantly interwoven with scenes from the teens’ frightening home lives.) Eventually, the class’ study of Frank and their continual journal writing leads them to extend an invitation to one of the Frank’s protectors, Miep Gies, and to raise enough money to bring her to their school. When the old woman arrives, she tells the group, “I did what I had to do because it is the right thing to do—that is all. … [Anyone], even a teenager, can turn on a small light in a dark room.” After a student calls her his hero, Gies quickly deflects the title: “ You are the heroes. You are the heroes every day. … Your faces are engraved in my heart.”

Off campus, Erin’s father initially tells his daughter, “These kids are criminals, not activists. Don’t waste your time on people who don’t give a d–n about education.” He adds, “You’re not responsible for their lives outside of the classroom.” But by the end he’s telling her, “You are an amazing teacher. You have been blessed with a burden, and I envy that and admire that.”

[ Spoiler Warning ] And just as her dad comes around, so do her students. And they’re eager to thank her for her prodding. They notice that she’s the only teacher willing to give them new and unabbreviated books (which she pays for by working extra jobs). They notice that she sincerely respects them, especially when she takes them out on a field trip that includes a ritzy dinner. Reading his journal entry one boy exclaims, “Ms. G. is the only person that makes me think of hope.”

Among the many other positives in Freedom Writers is a girl deciding to tell the truth, even at the cost of risking her life and her relationship with her father.

Spiritual Elements

As a young man reads from Anne Frank’s diaries, we hear the line, “If God lets me live …” After visiting a Holocaust museum, a student remembers how a survivor left behind a letter to God. A couple of scenes from students’ houses show crucifixes hanging on the wall. A cross is shown at a funeral. On the flip side of the spiritual coin, one student’s monologue describes joining a gang as a “baptism” that gives you new life. A rap during the end credits includes the line, “I believe in heaven more than hell.”

Sexual & Romantic Content

A student mentions that she was supposed to be the girl who gets pregnant by age 16, but that Erin’s Room 203 class has helped her avoid such a path. But another teen kisses her boyfriend and also asks Erin when two people mentioned in Anne Frank’s book will “hook up.” While two girls get dressed, the camera catches a glimpse of a tattoo on the small of one girl’s back.

Erin and her husband, Scott, kiss on a couple of different occasions. From Scott’s point of view, the camera briefly focuses on Erin’s backside. And Scott (vainly) attempts to initiate sex with his wife by talking about a school-teacher fantasy.

Violent Content

It’s obvious the filmmakers tried to show some restraint in depicting the all-too-real gangbanging surroundings of this story. Much of the abuse, domestic violence, and race- and gang-related shootings are spoken of rather than shown. However, we still see a young man mistakenly shot in a convenience store, and the camera spies a bullet hole in his chest as he lies in a pool of blood.

Two kids handle a newly acquired gun, which suddenly goes off and kills one of the boys. (He’s shown slumped over on a blood-stained bench.) A female student’s mother is described as being “half-beaten to death” one night, and we see a man strike her a few times (drawing blood) and beat the student with a belt. (The man also abandons this girl and her young brother on the side of the road, forcing them to sleep on the sidewalk.)

A teen girl is chased down by three gang members, held and threatened at gunpoint. She’s also beaten up on two other occasions. It’s not surprising, then, that she tells Erin she wishes Anne Frank would “smoke” Hitler and motions with an imaginary gun to her head. Another student says that “at 16, I’ve seen more dead bodies than a mortician.” Snapshots from a civil rights movement documentary show a mob beating up an activist (the after-shots are included as well), along with a bus that’s been torched.

When a melee breaks out in the school courtyard, multiple students (guys and girls) are shown exchanging punches, kicks, shoves and various body blows. A pair of girls wrestle and claw at each other. A classroom scrap involves shoving and missed punches.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is profaned on close to half-a-dozen occasions, two or three times in combination with “d–n.” The f-word is used once, while the s-word is uttered at least 10 times. An additional 30-plus milder profanities are spoken (“d–n,” “a–,” “h—“), including a crude reference to male anatomy and a single mention of the n-word.

Drug & Alcohol Content

Erin’s father downs some liquor while he meets with his daughter. Erin and Scott drink wine, mostly over dinner. During a trying discussion about their damaged relationship, both drink several glasses of alcohol. Scott comments on his wife drinking too much. She replies that alcohol won’t hurt her as much as their fighting does. A rap lyric mentions how “alcohol followed me.”

Though they’re never shown, it’s implied that drugs are readily available on campus. To prove that those in her class aren’t actually as different as they say they are, Erin begins by asking them how many know where to get drugs. (They all raise their hands.) Later, it becomes clear that one student is working for a neighborhood drug pusher.

Other Noteworthy Elements

[ Spoiler Warning ] While Erin’s efforts to change her students’ lives are noble and selfless, they also cause a strain on her commitment to her husband. Though initially supportive of his wife finding her apparent calling in life, Scott struggles with feelings of detachment and a lack of passion for her causes. “I’m living a life I didn’t agree to,” he says (adding that he’s still proud of the good she’s done). At Scott’s prompting, the two regretfully agree to divorce—a disappointing move and one that’s unfortunately true-to-life for the real Erin Gruwell.

In the classroom, Erin uses Tupac Shakur as an example of a talented poet. Unfortunately, she never explains that many of his songs glorify the very kind of violent acts she’s fighting against. Snoop Dogg is also referenced in a neutral context.

Freedom Writers travels down a well-worn path already trod by such films as Dangerous Minds, Up the Down Staircase, Stand and Deliver and even Dead Poets Society . New-to-the-system teacher uses unconventional methods to transform a classroom full of “unteachables.” This time it’s set in a racially heated, gangbanging environment where students’ main goal is to stay alive until their 18th birthday.

Fifty profanities and moments of gore certainly detract from this story, but what doesn’t diminish it is the familiar turf. In terms of true stories, Erin Gruwell’s is a remarkable adventure that encompasses sacrifice, determination, fearlessness and hope. It’s more than worthy to be told onscreen. And the result is that exceptional messages get communicated in almost every scene as these kids grab hold of something beautiful and life-changing.

For the record, according to the film, Erin’s inspirational efforts have resulted in most of the original 150 “Freedom Writers” (named after the Freedom Riders of the U.S. civil rights movement) becoming the first members of their families to attend college. Many went on to finish college and graduate school; some now teach at schools similar to Wilson High.

In some ways it’s those kids more than Erin who make Freedom Writers unique. Yes, Erin is definitely deserving of the praise and attention she’s been given. But it’s obvious the filmmakers wanted to place the bigger spotlight on the students’ courage and perseverance to overcome obstacles. “In this country we dismiss kids who aren’t showing up for class or aren’t doing well and say that they can’t learn,” says director Richard LaGravenese. “We never take that step that Erin Gruwell took to find out why and learn about the life they’re living on the streets, the poverty and the violence that they face every day. After reading their words and hearing their stories, you realize how can they possibly be thinking about homework or showing up on time? To me, the whole point was being able to tell a story that showed their lives and how a teacher listened and respected them enough to figure out how to teach them instead of letting them fall through the cracks.”

Marcus Yoars

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15 Movies That Actually Show What High School Is Really Like

Patrick dempsey's best performances, ranked by rotten tomatoes, the 10 best movies based on true stories, according to reddit.

• Erin Gruwell's innovative teaching methods transformed the lives of her at-risk students through journal projects and real-life connections.
• The personal sacrifices made by Erin Gruwell for her students led to strain on her marriage, reflecting the real challenges faced by educators.
• The movie Freedom Writers accurately captures the real struggles of urban education and the impact of violence on young lives.

The poignant 2017 drama Freedom Writers is based on a true story, making the challenging yet transformative journey of a teacher and her students in a racially divided urban high school, even more powerful. At the heart of the movie is Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), a young teacher brimming with idealism and determination. Set just after the LA riots, the movie vividly captures the volatile mid-1990s when racial tensions and gang violence were rampant in schools. Gruwell, assigned to a class of students deemed "unteachable," faces the formidable task of breaking through the walls of hostility and distrust.

Freedom Writers is more than a mere inspirational teacher story ; it is a reflection of the challenges and complexities of urban education. It's a tale that transcends the typical classroom drama, delving into the lives of students battling with issues of race, violence, and survival. These themes are juxtaposed against Gruwell's own journey, as she evolves from a naive newcomer to a fierce advocate. The film brings to light the often-overlooked struggles within the education system while celebrating the resilience of young minds. Freedom Writers is an incredible narrative, all the moreso since it's based on a true story.

Freedom Writers is available to stream on Apple TV+

10 Best Hilary Swank Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes

A two-time Oscar winner, Hilary Swank's filmography is littered with great films. Here are the actress's highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes.

Freedom Writers Is Based On The True Story Of Erin Gruwell

Hilary swank's inspiration teacher is a real person.

Freedom Writers closely mirrors the true story of Erin Gruwell, a teacher whose unconventional methods transformed young lives. Gruwell, fresh out of college and filled with idealism, stepped into Room 203 at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California in 1994, not fully grasping the challenges ahead. The school, reeling from the aftermath of the Rodney King riots , was a hotbed of racial tension, gang violence, and deep-seated mistrust between students. Gruwell faced a class of students segregated along racial lines, hostile and disinterested in education. Unfazed, she embarked on a journey to break down these barriers.

Gruwell employed innovative teaching methods that included the use of journals and books like The Diary of Anne Frank, relating their contents to the students' own turbulent lives. This approach, though initially met with skepticism, gradually began to turn the tide, sparking interest and engagement among her students. Gruwell's real-life story is one of unwavering commitment and resilience.

The real Erin Gruwell recognized that traditional teaching methods were ineffective for her class of at-risk students

The real Erin Gruwell recognized that traditional teaching methods were ineffective for her class of at-risk students, who were more preoccupied with survival in their neighborhoods than with academics. Determined to reach them, Gruwell introduced projects that encouraged students to express their thoughts and experiences through writing.

This initiative led to the creation of "The Freedom Writers Diary," a compilation of the students' powerful and raw journal entries. The film, while dramatizing certain aspects for cinematic effect, accurately captures the essence of Gruwell's extraordinary dedication. Her approach not only transformed the lives of her students but also challenged the educational system's approach to dealing with at-risk youth.

Through her story, both in real life and as depicted in Freedom Writers , Erin Gruwell emerged as a beacon of hope and a testament to the impact a devoted teacher can have on students who are otherwise written off by society.

There have been plenty of great films about high school kids. These are especially insightful when it comes to understanding the teenage experience.

Erin Gruwell’s Husband Really Did Leave Her Due To Her Commitment To Teaching

The true story mirrors the sacrifices hilary swank's character in freedom writers made.

The personal sacrifices made by Erin Gruwell, as portrayed in Freedom Writers , indeed mirror her real-life experiences. Gruwell's unwavering commitment to her students did strain her marriage , ultimately leading to a divorce. Her husband, as depicted in the movie by Patrick Dempsey, struggled with the amount of time and emotional energy she devoted to her students, which took a toll on their relationship.

This aspect of Freedom Writers accurately reflects the true story, conveying the personal cost that Gruwell had to bear in her pursuit of being a transformative educator, demonstrating the sometimes unseen sacrifices teachers make in their dedication to their students.

Patrick Dempsey has enjoyed a prolific film career that spans decades. Here are the actor's best performances and their Rotten Tomatoes scores.

Erin Gruwell Didn’t Work Two Part-Time Jobs Just To Buy Her Students Books

Erin Gruwell working two part-time jobs in Freedom Writers captures her extraordinary commitment but isn't true to reality. In truth, Gruwell's additional employment was primarily aimed at funding her graduate education . She was enrolled in a master's program at California State University, Long Beach, where she was simultaneously a student and a student teacher. Gruwell, ever determined to expand her own education and teaching skills, juggled her responsibilities at the university with her teaching role at Woodrow Wilson High School. One of her part-time jobs was at a hotel, where she worked tirelessly, often juggling long hours after teaching.

The movie's portrayal of Gruwell using her earnings to buy books for her students does hold a kernel of truth.

However, the movie's portrayal of Gruwell using her earnings to buy books for her students does hold a kernel of truth. While she took extra jobs to fund her own education, Gruwell indeed allocated a portion of her earnings to cover expenses for a trip to the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance (via LA Times ). This was an investment in her students' education and a testament to her belief in their potential. Gruwell's decision to spend her own income highlights a pivotal aspect of her teaching philosophy: the importance of connecting educational material to her students' real-life experiences.

Whether it's about a sports rivalry, a serial killer who was never caught, or a war epic, movies based on true stories cover all the bases.

The Speaker In Freedom Writers Wasn’t An Actual Holocaust Survivor (But Holocaust Survivors Were In The Movie)

The movie committed to showing the harrowing experience of holocaust survivors honestly.

In Freedom Writers , there's a memorable scene in which Holocaust survivor Miep Gies addresses Erin Gruwell's class. This powerful portrayal led audiences to believe that the woman really was Gies, but she was in fact a trained actor named Pat Carroll. However, Freedom Fighters does still feature Holocaust survivors , and they were the same survivors who shared their stories of resilience and survival with the real Freedom Writers students. Such experiences underscored Gruwell's commitment to not only educating her students academically but also enriching their understanding of humanity and compassion, lessons that extended far beyond the walls of the classroom.

Pat Carroll was an actor for 70 years before she passed away in 2022; Miep Gies passed away in 2010.

Erin Gruwell’s Real Pearls Story Is Significantly Different From The Movie

The tense freedom writers scene didn't actually happen.

Freedom Writers includes a scene where Erin is advised to remove her pearl necklace before teaching, suggesting a potential cultural disconnect with her students. In reality, while Gruwell did wear pearls the first time she stepped foot in the school halls , there was no such incident. Nevertheless, the real Gruwell revealed in her book Teach with Your Heart that she did question whether her appearance might create a barrier with her students.

This narrative in the film, though dramatized, underscores the real challenges faced by teachers in connecting with students from different backgrounds.

This scene in Freedom Writers may not have actually happened, but is a nod that reflects on the subtle ways in which educators must navigate cultural and socio-economic differences in the classroom. This narrative in the film, though dramatized, underscores the real challenges faced by teachers in connecting with students from different backgrounds.

Freedom Writers Actor Armand Jones Was Killed In Real Life

One of the stars of the movie was sadly lost to real life violence.

Armand Jones, who portrayed Grant Rice, tragically echoed the film's themes of inner-city violence in his own life. In a cruel twist of fate that mirrored the struggles depicted in the movie, Jones was fatally shot in 2006 , just a few months following the completion of the film (via OC Register ). The incident occurred after a confrontation at a Denny’s restaurant in Anaheim, California, not far from Long Beach where Freedom Writers is set.

This real-life tragedy reinforced the importance of the film's message and the work of educators like Erin Gruwell

Jones, only 18 years old at the time of his death, had delivered a poignant performance in the film, showcasing the potential and the plight of young people caught in the crossfires of urban violence. The death of Armand Jones had a profound impact on the cast and crew of Freedom Writers , as well as its audience. It served as a grim reminder that the issues addressed in the movie were not just fictional scenarios but real-life challenges faced by many young people.

Jones' talent and potential, so evident in his portrayal in the film, highlighted the tragic loss of so many young lives to senseless violence. This real-life tragedy reinforced the importance of the film's message and the work of educators like Erin Gruwell, who strive to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. Freedom Writers was dedicated to Jones' memory.

What Is The Real Erin Gruwell Doing Today?

The basis for the movie continues to be an advocate for education.

Today, Erin Gruwell continues her legacy of transformative education. In 2000, she ran for Congress, declaring herself a Democratic candidate for the 38th Congressional District (via LA Times ), bringing her educational insights to the political arena. She dedicates her time to the Freedom Writers Foundation, a non-profit created to " inspire young, underprivileged students to pick up pens instead of guns ."

Gruwell authored a memoir, Teach with Your Heart , sharing her experiences and the profound lessons she learned through her journey as an educator.

Additionally, Gruwell authored a memoir, Teach with Your Heart , sharing her experiences and the profound lessons she learned through her journey as an educator. Following Freedom Writers , her ongoing work and advocacy continue to inspire and influence the field of education, demonstrating the lasting impact of her innovative teaching methods.

The Depiction Of Erin Gruwell Was Met With Criticism

Freedom writers may have played into a savior narrative.

Freedom Writers is a powerful and moving film, and the true story of Erin Gruwell is definitely both inspiring and underscores the value of a principled educator who cares about the wellbeing and future of their students. However, the movie wasn't without criticism, especially for its portrayal of Gruwell. While the movie was marketed as being about the stories and experiences of her students and the impact the Los Angeles riots had on them, it also doesn't shy away from placing Gruwell at the center of the narrative.

This has led to a key criticism of Freedom Writers making Erin Gruwell out to be some kind of savior figure, without whom the students couldn't possibly have succeeded. It diminishes the experiences of the students themselves in this way, removing any agency from them and failing to acknowledge that — even with Gruwell's help — it was their own hard work and desire to escape the cycle of violence they'd been trapped in which ultimately led to their success where it was found.

While Freedom Writers has been integral in reshaping the US education system in the decades since the 1990s, it also can't be denied that it can be interpreted as reinforcing the message that young students from underprivileged backgrounds, especially Black Americans, cannot succeed without some intervention from a — usually — white adult to instruct them on how to navigate life. What's more, Freedom Writers may well have overstated how resistant the students were to education before Gruwell arrived (such as with the pearl necklace scene).

Sources: LA Times , Teach with Your Heart, OC Register , LA Times

Freedom Writers

Not available

Freedom Writers

Another movie about a well-meaning, white-bread teacher thrust among the savages? No, not by a long shot. Although "Freedom Writers" is the latest in a long line of saint-saves-students stories, it takes the bold approach of being earnest, honest and unafraid to be called naive. As a result, it's extremely affecting. Presided over by a sensitive, open performance by Hilary Swank and blessed by a gifted group of young actors, the drama could win hearts and dollars, especially if Paramount pushes pic's humanity over its presumed nobility.

By John Anderson

John Anderson

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Another movie about a well-meaning, white-bread teacher thrust among the savages? No, not by a long shot. Although “ Freedom Writers” is the latest in a long line of saint-saves-students stories, it takes the bold approach of being earnest, honest and unafraid to be called naive. As a result, it’s extremely affecting. Presided over by a sensitive, open performance by Hilary Swank and blessed by a gifted group of young actors, the drama could win hearts and dollars, especially if Paramount pushes pic’s humanity over its presumed nobility.

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There are moments in this, screenwriter Richard LaGravenese’s third feature as a director, that may require viewers to take shots of insulin, but Swank’s performance overcomes the shock of the sentimental: As Erin Gruwell — the real-life teacher who, with her students, wrote “The Freedom Writers Diary” — she is a delicate piece of fresh meat for a school of young high schoolers who are better-versed in street fights than Robert Frost.

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Armed with ambitious lesson plans and dreamy ideals, Erin arrives at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif.,thoroughly ill-equipped for a student body raised according to the ethics of urban tribalism. Swank portrays Erin’s awe, panic and ultimately her very courageous resolve to be who she is and fight on.

Better known for his screenwriting (“A Little Princess,” “Beloved,” “The Horse Whisperer”), helmer LaGravenese mixes stylistic maneuvers while hitting very few speed bumps. Starting out with footage of the Los Angeles riots of 1992 (the film is set in ’94), he sets up the students’ psychology through an internal dialogue narrated by one student, Eva (April Lee Hernandez), a Latina gang member whose worldview is shared by her peers: Their streets are a war zone, and school, while relatively safe, is an exercise in futility.

Arriving at Woodrow Wilson for her first day, Erin meets her soon-to-be nemesis Margaret Campbell (a terrific Imelda Staunton), who eyes Erin’s string of pearls with apprehension. Margaret — and the audience — just know those pearls are going to be ripped off Erin’s neck by some felonious student; they eventually serve as both MacGuffin and talisman.

Well shot by Jim Denault, “Freedom Writers” is a good-looking film, although it treads on shaky moral ground. Why does it always seem that a well-to-do white teacher is towing minority kids out of the intellectual quicksand of their environment? In this case, because the story is based on the real-life Erin Gruwell and her real-life class.

More crucially, “Freedom Writers,” initially at least, paints such a hopeless picture of underprivileged black and Latino teen lifethat many viewers would advise Erin to throw in the towel. Eventually, however, the desperation of their circumstances adds luster to Erin’s work in the classroom.

Most of the movie takes place in that classroom, where Erin hits upon “The Diary of Anne Frank” as a way into her students’ hearts and minds — and as a motivation for their own journal writing, a collection of which became the book on which the film is based. A visit to the school by Miep Gies (Pat Carroll), the Dutchwoman who helped hide the Franks (and still lives in the Netherlands), is virtually guaranteed to reduce even the most jaded viewer to a heap of weepy gelatin.

• Production: A Paramount release presented in assocation with MTV Films of a Jersey Films/Double Feature Films production. Produced by Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Danny DeVito. Executive producers, Hilary Swank, Nan Morales, Tracey Durning, Dan Levine. Directed, written by Richard LaGravenese, based on the book "The Freedom Writers Diary" by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell.
• Crew: Camera (Deluxe color), Jim Denault; editor, David Moritz; music, Mark Isham, will.i.amCQ; music supervisor, Mary Ramos; production designer, Laurence Bennett; art director, Peter Borck; set designer, Thomas Betts; set decorator, Linda Sutton-Doll; costume designer, Cindy Evans; makeup, Debra Denson; sound (Dolby/SDDS/DTS), David Parker; supervising sound editors, Per Hallberg, Karen Baker Landers; visual effects supervisors, Dan Schmit, Edson Williams; visual effects, Engine Room, Lola Visual Effects; stunt coordinator, William Morts; associate producer, Jordana Glick-Franzheim; assistant director, Donald L. Sparks; casting, Margery Simkin. Reviewed at Paramount studios, Los Angeles, Jan. 2, 2007. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 123 MIN.
• With: Erin Gruwell - Hilary Swank Scott Casey - Patrick Dempsey Steve Gruwell - Scott Glenn Margaret Campbell - Imelda Staunton Eva - April Lee Hernandez Jamal - Deance Wyatt Andre - Mario Brandy - Vanetta Smith Brian Gelford - John Benjamin Hickey Miep Gies - Pat Carroll

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Freedom Writers

By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

Leave it to Hilary Swank. Even when her film’s pace lags behind its cliches, she sparks this true story, about a California teacher who sparks her students, with the passion the subject demands. Erin Gruwell (Swank), wearing pearls, yet, seems helplessly ill-equipped on her first day at Wilson High School in Long Beach. The time is just after the Rodney King riots. Racial tension is high. But Erin, inexperienced and hopelessly naive, thinks she really can teach English to a class of blacks, whites, Latinos and Asians, most of whom are involved with gangs. The school authorities, repped by a ramrod Imelda Staunton, merely expect Erin to warehouse these alleged no-hopers, played with feeling by a cast of newcomers, who move their desks to segregate themselves into racial groups. Erin must learn their ghetto reality before she can reach them, which she does by assigning The Diary of Anne Frank and getting them to write letters to Miep Gies (Pat Carroll), the woman who helped the Frank family hide from the Nazis. Miep’s visit to Erin’s classroom is the film’s emotional highlight. But Erin’s most notable accomplishment was to persuade her students to write their own stories of persecution. These journals were published in 1999 as The Freedom Writers Diary , which writer-director Richard LaGravenese ( Living Out Loud ) used as his source material. Erin’s dedication helped end her marriage — Patrick Dempsey, a.k.a. Grey’s Anatomy ‘s Dr. McDreamy, plays the whiny husband — but ted young lives on a whole new course. Corny? You bet. And worse when the plot veers into the glitz of a Dangerous Minds and the sappiness of a TV After School Special . But the movie, which Swank helped produce by using her clout as a two-time Oscar winner, gets to you.

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Freedom writers.

Because the film is based on a real-life high school English class in Long Beach, Calif., whose teacher is played by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, this undoubtedly was a foolproof way to get a commercially risky subject developed and greenlighted. But it ill serves the original material.

By Kirk Honeycutt , The Associated Press January 11, 2007 8:00pm

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This review was written for the theatrical release of “Freedom Writers.” 

Intriguing glimpses into the lives of poor, disadvantaged, racially divided kids in contemporary American society get waylaid in “Freedom Writers” as it becomes a 21st century redo of “Blackboard Jungle.”

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Because the film is based on a real-life high school English class in Long Beach, Calif., whose teacher is played by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, this undoubtedly was a foolproof way to get a commercially risky subject developed and greenlighted. But it ill serves the original material, a published collection of journal entries by at-risk students written over several years that explain and explore their lives, fears and aspirations.

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So the Hollywood development process has produced a movie at war with itself. On one hand, this is a Hilary Swank vehicle with undue focus on the mundane problems — at least compared to the high drama in her students’ lives — of a neophyte teacher. On the other, there are these students starting to make connections between their lives and the lives of others through introspective writing.

The film has inspired moments and fine performances from its young actors. Swank’s name might boost the urban drama’s boxoffice potential into the $25 million-$30 million range, which considering its modest budget would be a success.

According to this movie, written and directed by Richard LaGravenese, Erin Gruwell (Swank) comes to Wilson High School after the Rodney King riots, much like Alice the day she fell down that rabbit hole. Brimming with self-confidence over her lesson plans and holding a concept of inner-city youths that can charitably be called naive, Erin is shocked by the blatant disrespect, racism and hostility exhibited by her students.

Remarkably, she quickly turns into a savvy teacher with seemingly years of experience. She turns a racist classroom drawing into a brilliant teaching aid and instinctively realizes that reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” will hugely impact her students’ outlooks. Before you know it, her class is one big rainbow coalition/summer camp love-in. Only in the margins do the students share their lives with viewers — abuse, broken homes, drive-bys, drugs and racism are everyday challenges. Strangely but presumably to maintain a PG-13 rating, the film never touches on the teens’ sexual activity.

The key student is Eva, played by April Lee Hernandez with a bitter scowl darkening her strikingly beautiful face. Indeed, the film starts off as if she were the central figure before the focus shifts to her teacher, then fragments into a classwide diffusion. Yet her dilemma — as a Latina caught up in gang culture who faces a moral decision about testifying in court against one of “her own” — is the on-and-off central thread of the film.

Other glancing though effective performances come from Jason Finn as a young man living on the street, Grammy-nominated Mario as a teen coping with his brother’s travails in the legal system, Hunter Parrish as a white youth ostracized from all camps and Jaclyn Ngan as a Cambodian survivor of a refugee camp.

Far too much time is spent with Erin and her naysayers: the husband (Patrick Dempsey) who sulks nightly over red wine when she comes home late, an ex-civil rights champion father (Scott Glenn) who now scorns ghetto youths and a jealous fellow teacher (Imelda Staunton) who has several “Captain Queeg” moments that betray her utter contempt for the students.

Swank, who exec produced the film, marches through the story with a curiously inappropriate grin on her face. No teacher in America could possibly smile this often. Never once do you see the iron in the character that enables her to cope and connect with such challenging students.

Production values are sharp with a fine use of contemporary music and smart cinematography. But the film is both too short and too long at two hours-plus. Not enough time is spent with the teens and far too much with their teacher.

FREEDOM WRITERS Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures in association with MTV Films present a Jersey Films/Double Feature Films production Credits: Screenwriter-director: Richard LaGravenese Based on the book by: the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell Producers: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher Executive producers: Hilary Swank, Tracey Durning, Nan Morales, Dan Levine Director of photography: Jim Denault Production designer: Laurence Bennett Music: Mark Isham, will.i.am Costume designer: Cindy Evans Editor: David Moritz Cast: Erin Gruwell: Hilary Swank Scott Casey: Patrick Dempsey Steve Gruwell: Scott Glenn Margaret Campbell: Imelda Staunton Eva: April Lee Hernandez Andre: Mario Marcus: Jason Finn Ben: Hunter Parrish Sindy: Jaclyn Ngan Running time — 122 minutes MPAA rating: PG-13

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Review: freedom writers.

This latest entry in the apparently inexhaustible Miracle Teacher genre reliably hits all the expected marks.

At once heartfelt, absorbing, and dopey, this latest entry in the apparently inexhaustible Miracle Teacher genre reliably hits all the expected marks, with no cliché left behind. Based on the real-world experiences of Erin Gruwall facing her first class of East L.A. underdogs at Woodrow Wilson High School, Freedom Writers frontloads all the iconic moments in the tense period following Rodney King’s beating in 1992 and the subsequent riots. The last time this formula came around in rotation, Michelle Pfeiffer was karate-chopping high schoolers with Marine Corps tough love in Dangerous Minds , and before that we had Teachers , Stand and Deliver , Lean On Me , and many others, not forgetting Up the Down Staircase , unjustly forgotten yet uniquely free of hero worship or indulgent sentimentality. Hollywood keeps reviving this scenario because its flattery of hard-working educators and inspirational nostalgia for young adults makes it a surefire winner, and this new version feels just like all the old ones.

This time it’s Hilary Swank who wields the chalk and eraser through all the iconic scenes, arriving for her teaching debut with a fistful of lesson plans, only to endure bouts of intensive testing as her racially divided miscreants and roughnecks push to find the newbie’s boundaries. As customary, the starry-eyed do-gooder gets shocked when colleagues reveal themselves as callous careerists, then disappointed at the unappreciative turnout at parent-teacher night, but soon moves to jettison the curriculum (because it’s just not relevant). True to form, next come the school dance and the class excursion, all building to 11th-hour suspense about surmounting obstructionist bureaucracy to seek triumphal validation of her innovative methods. Introducing daily journaling, she allows the students to voice their own stories (or, at least, the words chosen for this script from their 1999 publication The Freedom Writers Diary ). Dramatizing these with lightning vignettes of street gunfights, drive-by shootings, and homegrown violence, abuse, and murder, the film has a chance to open the narrative to their ground-level view of their lives conducted like warfare, of gang members as “soldiers of the streets,” and of the injustices created by racial divisions (“It all comes down to what you look like”).

Swank’s good-natured performance and some distinctive dialogue from writer-director Richard LaGravenese notwithstanding, the script dissipates the passion and insights of the students by insistently hewing to its boilerplate account of another white crusader ministering to the underserved, and one who embodies the racial divide herself. When one Latina tells her “I hate white people,” Gruwell responds, “You don’t know me,” but the student administers the zinger: “I know what you can do.”

One thing she can’t do is help other teachers since, short of abandoning the ideal of public education altogether, her methods are unsustainable. Combination cheerleader, diversity manager, sensitivity trainer, hip-hop aficionado (even if she can’t pronounce “Tupac Shakur”), and Holocaust educator, she seeks only to provoke her students to engage with their shared humanity. Yet she perpetuates the fantasy that creativity means teachers using their own salaries to pay for materials and books, community support be damned. “Miss G” takes not one but two part-time jobs to subsidize the education system and in the process lets her marriage slide into divorce. In the film’s best scene, her husband (dimply Patrick Dempsey from Grey’s Anatomy ) argues that her newfound obsession doesn’t transfer to their relationship because “I don’t have any potential.” She enters this scene announcing, “I drove the kids home. I don’t want them to take buses.” (Presumably she stopped herself from doing their laundry and washing their floors too).

It’s up to the designated villain, Vera Drake ’s Imelda Staunton, to ask the best question: should teaching the three ‘R’s be left to free spirits with their touchy-feely New Age classroom games? It’s also on her agenda to target union contracts as the obstacle to classroom creativity. Despite its compassion for kids born into situations they didn’t make and the dog-eat-dog struggles happening on their doorsteps, the movie keeps mum when it comes to the real culprits—the brutal economic outlook for underclass members plus the systematic crippling of public education via underfunding. The untoward sympathy for the heroine plays badly next to its scant concern for the students’ need to support themselves in dead-end McJobs, nor is there much sign of behavioral pitfalls like drug and alcohol abuse (or even cursing). While looking a decade too old, these teenagers are decently individualized, but bland out in their transformation from cynical time-servers to wide-eyed softies.

Like its heroine, the movie begs for acceptance, grasping and manipulating heartstrings, sometimes achieving a flashing effectiveness even as it pulls itself out of shape, unpredictably veering between the teacher’s viewpoint and students narrating from their journals. Next to the direct journaling in Kirby Dick’s Chain Camera , composed of video footage made by Angeleno teens, Freedom Writers seems sentimentalized and wedded to outmoded technology. While Jim Denault’s rough-and-ready camerawork and contrasty color give a convincingly parched look to the proceedings here, this movie needs a more abrupt and decisive form, and the story deserves a more forceful criticism than this cult-like presentation. There’s no question that a forceful teacher can change a student’s life, but it rarely works positively for every individual. You don’t have to be Mr. Chips to know that making education stick takes an entire social system, not just one willful teacher, no matter how well-meaning.

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Robert Keser

Robert Keser was a senior lecturer in cinema studies at Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts. His writing also appeared in Senses of Cinema and Bright Lights Film Journal .

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Freedom Writers: The Real Life Story That Continues To Inspire New Generations Today

Within the world of teen dramas, tales of inspirational teachers and at-risk students have proven to be especially popular, with "Stand and Deliver" and the Michelle Pfeiffer -starring "Dangerous Minds" being notable examples. The 2007 film "Freedom Writers" is also a fan favorite, and it boasts an impressive 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes .

Hilary Swank stars as Erin Gruwell, a young teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. It's 1994, and in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, the school is a pressure cooker of racial tension and gang violence. When Gruwell realizes only one of her students know what the Holocaust is, she makes it her mission to educate them on forms of prejudice that lead to violence, and encourages them to record their own traumatic experiences in diaries inspired by "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo." The students dub themselves the Freedom Writers, based on the civil rights activists the Freedom Riders. All 150 of the students graduated in 1998.

Like other movies in the subgenre, "Freedom Writers" is based on a true story , which perhaps contributed to its immense popularity; "Freedom Writers" grossed over $43 million worldwide. Gruwell compiled her students' writing into a book, published in 1999 as "The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them." The book went on to become a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Today, Gruwell heads the Freedom Writers Foundation.

The Freedom Writers mission persists around the world

As a founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, Erin Gruwell continues to use education as a means to promote tolerance and social justice by utilizing the same teaching techniques that were put on display in "Freedom Writers." She has had her students meet with Holocaust survivors, as well as refugees from Cambodia and Rwanda.

The foundation has expanded the scope of Gruwell's mission beyond what she imagined was possible. "We started training teachers and giving scholarships to educators," she told PBS in 2019. "Now we have 700 Freedom Writer teachers. They're in every single state in America, eight provinces in Canada, and 20 countries. It's incredible because these Freedom Writer teachers are doing the exact same thing that I did with my students. They're doing it better because they're not alone."

The Freedom Writers mission didn't end with the release of the 2007 film. The documentary "Freedom Writers: Stories from an Undeclared War" shines an additional spotlight on Gruwell's original 150 students, exploring their journey from teenagers in 1994 to adulthood.

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Freedom Writers (2007)

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276 reviews

Inspiring account of a teacher at a US high school that is plagued by gang violence, who resorts to unconventional methods to reach her students.

Age group 11+ years

Duration 117 mins

Review by Kiera, 12

18 May 2017

Looking for a movie to show your secondary students about equality in the past? Luckily, we have got the right movie for you. Set in a high school in L.A, Freedom Writers tells a story about Erin Gruwell, a teacher starting at the school who has to face the problems of teaching a class of teenagers who are in gangs and are not looking forward to collage. The story is unique, though violent, and overall is an educating story for those who like a good action movie. Though the movie is enjoyable, the age rating is PG12 as it does contain Offensive language, violence and racism. Other than that, there are no errors in the movie, the quality is great and the plot is good and enjoyable. Teenagers will watch the students get into all sorts of problems, and learn about holocaust, war and equality in L.A. So, if you are looking for a movie to teach your students about equality, put Freedom Writers on the screen today.

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Freedom Writers

• Erin Gruwell, a young teacher in a racially divided Los Angeles school, inspires her class of at-risk students, deemed incapable of learning, to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.
• It's 1994 in Long Beach, California. Idealistic Erin Gruwell is just starting her first teaching job, that as freshman and sophomore English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School, which, two years earlier, implemented a voluntary integration program. For many of the existing teachers, the integration has ruined the school, whose previously stellar academic standing has been replaced with many students who will be lucky to graduate or even be literate. Despite choosing the school on purpose because of its integration program, Erin is unprepared for the nature of her classroom, whose students live by generations of strict moral codes of protecting their own at all cost. Many are in gangs and almost all know somebody that has been killed by gang violence. The Latinos hate the Cambodians who hate the blacks and so on. The only person the students hate more is Ms. Gruwell. It isn't until Erin holds an unsanctioned discussion about a recent drive-by shooting death that she fully begins to understand what she's up against. And it isn't until she provides an assignment of writing a daily journal - which will be not graded, and will remain unread by her unless they so choose - that the students begin to open up to her. As Erin tries harder and harder to have resources provided to teach properly (which often results in her needing to pay for them herself through working second and third jobs), she seems to face greater resistance, especially from her colleagues, such as Margaret Campbell, her section head, who lives by regulations and sees such resources as a waste, and Brian Gelford, who will protect his "priviledged" position of teaching the senior honors classes at all cost. Erin also finds that her teaching job is placing a strain on her marriage to Scott Casey, a man who seems to have lost his own idealistic way in life. — Huggo
• A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves and pursue education beyond high school. Woodrow Wilson High School is located in Long Beach, California. The school is voluntarily integrated, and it isn't working. The Asians, the blacks, the Latinos, and a very few whites not only don't get along but also stay within their cultural cliques and are part of protective and violent gangs. There isn't much teaching or learning going on at the school. It is a warehouse for young teenagers until they can drop out or are kicked out. — yusufpiskin
• The storyline of the movie takes place between 19921995, beginning with scenes from the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Hilary Swank plays the role of Erin Gruwell, a new, excited schoolteacher who leaves the safety of her hometown, Newport Beach, to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, a formerly high achieving school which has recently had an integration program put in place. Her enthusiasm is quickly challenged when she realizes that her class are all "at-risk" students, also known as "unteachables", and not the eager students she was expecting. The students segregate themselves into racial groups in the classroom, fights break out, and eventually most of the students stop turning up to class. Not only does Gruwell meet opposition from her students, but she also has a hard time with her department head, who refuses to let her teach her students with books in case they get damaged and lost, and instead tells her to focus on teaching them discipline and obedience. One night, two students, Eva (April Lee Hernández), a Hispanic girl and narrator for much of the film, and a Cambodian refugee, Sindy (Jaclyn Ngan), find themselves in the same convenience store. Another student, Grant Rice (Armand Jones) is frustrated at losing an arcade game and demands a refund from the owner. When he storms out, Eva's boyfriend attempts a drive-by shooting, wanting to kill Grant but misses, accidentally killing Sindy's boyfriend. As Eva is a witness, she must testify at court; she intends to protect her own kind in her testimony. At school, Gruwell intercepts a racist drawing of one of her students and uses it to teach them about the Holocaust. She gradually begins to earn their trust and buys them composition books to record their diaries, in which they talk about their experiences of being abused, seeing their friends die, and being evicted. Determined to reform her students, she takes two part-time jobs to pay for more books and spends more time at school, to the disappointment of her husband (Patrick Dempsey). Her students start to behave with respect and learn more. A transformation is especially visible in one of her students, Marcus (Jason Finn). She invites several Holocaust survivors to talk with her class about their experiences and takes them on a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance. Meanwhile, her unorthodox teaching methods are scorned by her colleagues and department chair Margaret Campbell (Imelda Staunton). The next year comes, and Gruwell teaches her class again for sophomore (second) year. In class, when reading The Diary of Anne Frank, they invite Miep Gies (Pat Carroll), the woman who sheltered Anne Frank from the German soldiers to talk to them. After they raise the money to bring her over, she tells them her experiences hiding Anne Frank. When Marcus tells her that she is his hero, she denies it, claiming she was merely doing the right thing. Her denial causes Eva to rethink lying during her testimony. When she testifies, she finally breaks down and tells the truth, much to some of her family members' dismay. Meanwhile, Gruwell asks her students to write their diaries in book form. She compiles the entries and names it The Freedom Writers Diary. Her husband divorces her and Margaret tells her she cannot teach her kids for their junior year. She fights this decision, eventually convincing the superintendent to allow her to teach her kids' junior and senior year. The film ends with a note that Gruwell successfully brought many of her students to graduation and college.

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