Freedom Writers (2007)

A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.

Director:

Richard LaGravenese

Writers:

Richard LaGravenese (screenplay), Freedom Writers (book),

Stars:

Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn

2 wins & 1 nomination.

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

Storyline

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 ...

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | high school | marriage | journal | writing | 

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Taglines:

Their story. Their world. Their future.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent content, some thematic material and language

Details

Official Sites:

freedomwriters Official site [es]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Écrire pour exister

Filming Locations:

Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£233,382 (UK) (2 March 2007)

Gross:

$36,581,633 (USA) (9 March 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Double Feature Films, MTV Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early prints were released under the title 'Maggie'.

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Goofs

Ms. Gruwell makes a reference to "Snoop Dogg" in the movie, but during the timeline of this story, he was still known as Snoop Doggy Dogg.

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Quotes

Erin Gruwell: The evaluation assignment was to grade yourself on the work you're doing. You gave yourself an F. What's that about?
Andre: It's what I feel I deserve, that's all.
Erin Gruwell: Oh really?
[pause]
Erin Gruwell: You know what this is? This is a Fuck You to me and everyone in this class. I don't want excuses. I know what you're up against. We're all of us up against something. So you better make up your mind, because until you have the balls to look me straight in the eye and tell me this is all you deserve, I am not letting you ...

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Connections

References To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

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Soundtracks

"This Is How We Do It"
by Montell Jordan, Oji Pierce & Slick Rick (as Ricky M.L. Walters)
Performed by Montell Jordan
Contains a sample of "Children's Story" by Slick Rick (as Ricky M.L. Walters)
Performed by Slick Rick
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Saw this movie!

Wow! What a movie! I was in tears most of the time. Very, very intense movie. It was great! I didn't realize it was based on a true story and that made the whole point of the movie even better. I recommend this to everyone. A must see especially if you relate to it in any way shape or form. I think it shines hope on disadvantaged youth and great encouragement to defy all obstacles! Hillary Swank plays a great role in this film and now Im gonna go out and buy the book. My son saw this movie and was also in tears. He realized how blessed he is and how there's no excuse to not finish high school and go on to college! i will be adding these movie to my collection!