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, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey

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 | gang violence | 

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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

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Écrire pour exister

Filming Locations:

University High School - 11800 Texas Avenue, West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,405,582, 7 January 2007

Gross USA:

$36,605,602, 15 March 2007

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,090,741

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

In one scene set near the beach, a Toyota Sienna is seen in a parking lot in the background. The movie is set from 1994-1996, and the Toyota Sienna did not debut until the 1998 model year.

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Quotes

Tito: Nobody cares what I do. Why should I bother coming to school?

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Connections

Referenced in Cesar 911: Dog with a Bark (2014)

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Soundtracks

When The Shit Goes Down
by Larry Muggerud (as Larry E. Muggerud), Lawrence Dickens & B-Real (as Louis M. Freese)
Performed by Cypress Hill
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Contains a sample of "Deep Gully" by Lawrence Dickens
Performed by The Outlaw Blues Band
Courtesy of Geffen Records
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!