Freedom Writers

[GnosticWarrior]

I just saw this movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lejN7Ulh10s) on video and would recommend anyone who did not see it yet to rent it. I loved the story and the real emotions portrayed by the actors and actresses. Best troubled kids inspired by a teacher movie i've seen!

[Adri]

I saw it on an airplane and really enjoyed the movie. I'd watch it again (especially since I am so old that I could not read the print that ran at the end of the movie on the tiny airplane screens).

[DannyWilliams]

Figuiring this would be another "Stand & Deliver" / "Dangerous Minds" kinda movie this one was something unique where it left an impression to me.

At the end of the movie you quickly see a photo and unless you did not see the abc interview of "Freedom Writers" done by Connie Chung when she was w/ the network (according to IMDB) the real Erin Gruwell can be found on the special features segment on the DVD.

[scrivener]

I saw Freedom Writers when it was in theaters, and this is what I wrote then:

This one is a slightly atypical amazing-teacher story, but I think most people will find it not very different from films like Stand and Deliver and Mr. Holland’s Opus.

Swank plays Erin Gruwell, a real-life teacher about whom I’ve read a few times in some of my teaching texts, and she turns what is otherwise a formulaic (though true-to-life, apparently) story into something believable. However, I have to say that I’m saying this because I’m a teacher. There are things Swank does here that convinced me and the two teachers I saw this with that she really understood what teachers go through. In this respect, I have to say that the film is slightly better than typical, because it is the first film I’ve seen where I thought the actor really knew what teachers are like.

The film shows, too, what happens to Gruwell’s personal life as a result of her dedication to her classroom. I saw the movie with two other late-thirties teachers who are also single, and I think this aspect of the story rang true with each of us. Sometimes when you teach, you get so much joy and satisfaction from it that relationships become almost extraneous. Gruwell, in order to do her job well, took other jobs in order to pay for the materials that would give her students the most meaningful experiences. I know I am not the only teacher who could relate. The time and financial expense Gruwell invests in her students makes her marriage just about impossible to maintain.

I admit I bought it. Give it a 7/10 with the caveat that the thing I most liked about it is something most people couldn’t relate to.

[lavagal]

Which is why teaching is a profession, a calling, and a mission. My girls' teachers are the most important people to me. They become family. I'm always available to them, I want to know what my kids are up to, what the teacher might need to get through to them, but also to help them achieve their goals as teachers. Yesterday I spray painted orange lines on a grass field for May Day festivities next week. I did the kindergarten yearbook page. Parents should partner with their teachers. These are the adults who witness your children's light-bulb moments. Get in on that the best you can.

Oh sorry, this was a movie review!

[GnosticWarrior]

the real Erin Gruwell can be found on the special features segment on the DVD.

I liked the movie and actors even more after seeing the bonus material. Seems the actors could all make a personal connection to the roles they were playing.

I saw Freedom Writers when it was in theaters, and this is what I wrote then:

Gruwell, in order to do her job well, took other jobs in order to pay for the materials that would give her students the most meaningful experiences. I know I am not the only teacher who could relate. The time and financial expense Gruwell invests in her students makes her marriage just about impossible to maintain.


Sorry, I did a search for this movie before I started this thread and nothing showed up. Anyway, I'm no teacher but Gruwell was definitely driven by a higher power. Her marriage would not really work unless both parties were supportive and understanding of the need and desire to serve her calling and fufill her destiny. We have no choice but to either follow it or fight it. I liked that this movie showed that struggle too. A struggle we all face.

[DannyWilliams]

Would have been super if you got to see the actual students potrayed or the interview segement shown on ABC could have been a plus for me.
Swank as Erin did try to make it work on both ends for her students , income (taking on another part time job) and manage to hold it together somehow. But her marriage sad to say went south for the winter.

[GnosticWarrior]

I would like to see that Primetime special! They have it sold on DVD at the Freedom Writers Foundation (http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/site/apps/ka/ec/catalog.asp?c=kqIXL2PFJtH&b=2260029&en=lmKSK6MRKkJXKdO6IiKQJcPVLnK3LaPXIpL6IgO1LwIfF&CategoryID=165898) but its currently sold out. :( But they also have the Freedom Writers Diary which I ordered and some info on what Erin Gruwell and the Original Freedom Writers are currently doing to help others. :)