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Freedom Writers (2007)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
5 January 2007 (USA)
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Tagline:
our story. our words. more
Plot:
A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school. | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win
&
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(21 articles)
He Said – He Said … Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
(From Scorecard Review. 20 November 2009, 7:18 AM, PST)
'Amelia,' Hilary Swank: Finding a movie role to fit the face
(From EW.com - The Movie Critics. 30 October 2009, 3:38 PM, PDT)
(From Scorecard Review. 20 November 2009, 7:18 AM, PST)
'Amelia,' Hilary Swank: Finding a movie role to fit the face
(From EW.com - The Movie Critics. 30 October 2009, 3:38 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Truly Moving Picture
more (188 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Hilary Swank | ... | Erin Gruwell |
 | Patrick Dempsey | ... | Scott Casey |
 | Scott Glenn | ... | Steve Gruwell |
 | Imelda Staunton | ... | Margaret Campbell |
 | April L. Hernandez | ... | Eva Benitez (as April Lee Hernandez) |
 | Mario | ... | Andre Bryant |
 | Kristin Herrera | ... | Gloria Munez |
 | Jaclyn Ngan | ... | Sindy |
| Sergio Montalvo | ... | Alejandro Santiago |
| Jason Finn | ... | Marcus |
 | Deance Wyatt | ... | Jamal Hill |
 | Vanetta Smith | ... | Brandy Ross |
| Gabriel Chavarria | ... | Tito |
 | Hunter Parrish | ... | Ben Daniels |
| Antonio García | ... | Miguel |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent content, some thematic material and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
123 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG-13 |
Ireland:15A |
Singapore:PG |
UK:12A |
Netherlands:12 |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) |
Germany:12 |
Malaysia:U |
Finland:K-11 |
Norway:15 |
Sweden:11 |
Argentina:13 |
Portugal:M/12 |
Australia:M |
South Korea:15
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Part of the movie was filmed at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: Early movie takes place in 1994, the computer used is running Windows XP. XP was released in late 2001.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Getaway: (#17.12)" (2008)
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Soundtrack:
A Dream
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FAQ
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I saw this film on December 13th, 2006 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.
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 with their own 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.
With this background, an idealistic teacher (Hilary Swank) arrives to teach Freshmen English. She is very educated, pretty, middle class, non-ethnic, well-dressed, and smart. From day one, she doesn't fit in the classroom with these tough kids, and she doesn't fit in with the faculty, who have all but given up and resigned themselves to being the keepers of the student warehouse.
But our idealistic teacher will not give up. She slowly and painfully tries to teach by first learning about "…the pain…" the students feel. She encourages each of her students to keep a journal of their painful and difficult life, and then to share the journal with her. She also attempts to get the four ethnic groups to come together by getting them to recognize what they have in common; specifically, their music, their movies, their broken families, and their broken community surroundings.
While struggling with the students, she has to deal at the same time with two complicated and demanding male relationships. Her husband (Patrick Dempsey) is often supportive, but often jealous of her time commitments. Her father (Scott Glenn) is often disappointed of her career choice, but often proud of her courage and tenacity.
This story feels real. It is beautifully done. The acting of Swank, Dempsey and Glenn is professional and believable. More importantly the story highlights our society's challenges in schooling the children of poor and one-parent families.
The movie doesn't give miracle answers. But it does give hope. And in the end, sincere effort appears to count for something … maybe everything.
FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.