AnneCarlini.com Home
 
  Giveaways!
  Insider Gossip
  Monthly Hot Picks
  Book Reviews
  CD Reviews
  Concert Reviews
  DVD Reviews
  Game Reviews
  Movie Reviews
  Check Out The NEW Anne Carlini Productions!
  [NEW] Belouis Some (2024)
  [NEW] Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel (2024)
  [NEW] Mark Ruffalo (‘Poor Things’)
  [NEW] Paul Giamatti (‘The Holdovers’)
  [NEW] Crystal Gayle
  [NEW] Ellen Foley
  Gotham Knights [David Russo - Composer]
  The Home of WAXEN WARES Candles!
  Michigan Siding Company for ALL Your Outdoor Needs
  MTU Hypnosis for ALL your Day-To-Day Needs!
  COMMENTS FROM EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE READERS!


©2024 annecarlini.com
6 Degrees Entertainment

'Freedom Writers'
(Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, et al / DVD / PG-13 / 2007 / Paramount)

Overview: Though the "inspirational teacher" theme may feel done to death, 'Freedom Writers' succeeds because it emphasizes the students as much as the teacher. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don't Cry) comes to a southern California high school bubbling over with naive optimism, but quickly discovers that her unruly classroom isn't easily won over by her good intentions. After a few floundering attempts to connect with her students, Gruwell gives them the assignment of keeping journals about their own lives - an assignment that the class bites into with relish, which eventually bonds them together and pushes racial rivalries aside.

DVD Verdict: Granted, the acting in 'Freedom Writers' - while genuine and therein genuinely good - is not going to garner many awards, but in terms of impact and emotional wallop, the movie makes the grade. With another fine performance by Hilary Swank and a good supporting cast of young actors, 'Freedom Writers' is simply marvelous.

Most of us know that the cities have become a war zone. Sometimes forgetting the riots after the Rodney King trial, L.A.'s Wilson High School is shown as a major site in the struggle. Stepping into the battle is idealistic and naive Erin Gruwell (Swank) whose father passed down a legacy as Civil Rights fighter, and instilled his values as well as silver spoon sensibilities upon his daughter. She comes into the classroom with a positive outlook and a smile on her face, while students whisper forecasts of a short tenure.

Immediately, fights break out between racial and ethnic groups in the classroom and out into the courtyard. Every attempt, even at humor is greeted with a jaundiced sneer. Keeping her sense of purpose and willing to take risks, she breaks them down. Being able to tap into the halocaust, Gruwell challenges them to reevaluate their survival sensibilities and open up. She has them complete a journal with their own thoughts with a guarantee of privacy that will be backed up in lock and key. Once she has gotten their attention, she gives them her dedication. Included in her arsenal is the propencity to go over the head of her department head and buy reading materials for the class herself.

Predictably, professional jealousy comes to roost, but we can hardly judge her colleagues too harshly. Afterall, they, too are somewhat battle scarred just like the students. Some of the aftermath happens at home where Erin's husband (Patrick Dempsey) feels like he plays second fiddle to her career. Nevertheless, students start to open up and share their feelings, especially Eva (April Lee Hernandez) who narrates many scenes of the movie. The movie has one main story with incredible mini-stories interweaving Erin's.

Effective from start to finish, 'Freedom Writers' could rate as the biggest tearjerker with the least amount of sentiment of any movie assembled. It can't be considered manipulative because it's so real. There aren't any huge flaws like going overtime. Patrick Dempsey, like Matthew Fox a month earlier, proves that he's more than a poster boy. And, in terms of young actors, there's nary a flunky in the class. In closing, 'Freedom Writers' is based on a true story and is a total must see film. This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of:

Deleted Scenes
Making 'A Dream'
Freedom Writers Family
Freedom Writers: The Story Behind the Story
Theatrical Trailer
Photo Gallery

www.Paramount.com/HomeEntertainment





...Archives