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Year One
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
Freedom Writers

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 33 votes
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Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Richard LaGravenese
Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell (book The Freedom Writers Diary)
Directed by: Richard LaGravenese
Release Date:
Theatrical: January 5, 2007
DVD: April 17, 2007
Running Time: 123 minutes, Color
Origin: Germany / USA
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for violent content, some thematic material and language
Starring Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, April L. Hernandez, Mario, Kristin Herrera, and Jacklyn Ngan
Based on a true story and the diaries of real Long Beach teenagers after the L.A. riots, Freedom Writers is an inspirational tale and testimony to courage hope and the human spirit's triumph over intolerance. (Paramount)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: A Decade Under the Influence Living Out Loud P.S. I Love You
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
LA Weekly Scott Foundas
It all sounds like a recipe for the most noxious liberal jerk-off movie since "Crash," but in the hands of writer-director Richard LaGravenese, Freedom Writers turns out to be a superb piece of mainstream entertainment -- not an agonized debate over the principles of modern education à la "The History Boys," but a simple, straightforward and surprisingly affecting story of one woman who managed to make a difference.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
Hilary Swank gives a powerhouse performance as a maverick high school teacher in Freedom Writers, an often gripping and sometimes even inspiring film drama taken from the real-life story of Erin Gruwell.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker
Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) is real, and for all the dramatic license that writer/director Richard LaGravenese takes in his film, her story -- and the stories of her students -- are moving.
Read Full Review >ReelViews James Berardinelli
Freedom Writers delivers the expected messages about hope and the ability to change one's destiny, and does it in a manner that it is emotionally and intellectually satisfying.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin
Though the film seldom strays from formula, there's something strangely moving about Swank's conviction that, in spite of everything, people are really good at heart.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Jack Mathews
I say bring 'em on, if the stories can be told as well, as convincingly and as inspirationally as Richard LaGravenese's Freedom Writers, an educational fantasy that happens to be mostly true.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Ruthe Stein
Overall Freedom Writers is a noble effort. At a time when New Year's resolutions to change already are falling by the wayside, you can't help but be moved by a group of young people who followed through on their resolve.
Read Full Review >Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman
The movie is based on the life of California high school teacher Erin Gruwell, played with captivating honesty by Hilary Swank, yet it feels like the usual Hollywood exaggerations.
Read Full Review >Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow
Freedom Writers is the rare inspirational-teacher film that is filled with genuine, jaw-dropping coups of real-life poetry.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan
What makes Freedom Writers work is the very thing that makes it seem like a drag: predictable inspiration.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer
If you've seen "To Sir, With Love," "Dead Poet's Society," "The Corn is Green," or "Stand and Deliver" - to take a random sample - you've already seen much of this movie. Swank is good, though, and so is Patrick Dempsey as her suffering husband.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Manohla Dargis
In Freedom Writers Hilary Swank uses neediness to fine effect in a film with a strong emotional tug and smartly laid foundation.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader J.R. Jones
Luckily LaGravenese has incorporated some of the real students' piercingly honest diary entries and rounded up an engaging cast of unknowns and young actors (April Hernandez, Kristin Herrera, Hunter Parrish) to channel their anger and hopelessness.
Read Full Review >Variety John Anderson
It takes the bold approach of being earnest, honest and unafraid to be called naive. As a result, it's extremely affecting.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust
Dramatically, the movie never veers from its predictable course, but Swank's performance renders the point moot. There likely was a better, more original movie to be made focusing more on the Freedom Writers themselves, but if this more conventional direction had to be taken, it's hard to imagine a more affecting version.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
Formulaic though it is, the story hits the right emotional buttons and promises that hope and dogged work trump despair.
Read Full Review >New York Post Kyle Smith
Swank's character, Erin Gruwell, is a real educator who, in the years following the Rodney King riots, coaxed her students into writing about their bullet-riddled lives.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone Peter Travers
Leave it to Hilary Swank. Even when her film's pace lags behind its cliches, she sparks this true story, about a California teacher who sparks her students, with the passion the subject demands.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
It offers a sort of Chinese food poignancy, the kind that may seem satisfying at the time but ultimately leaves us hungering for more, for something authentic.
Read Full Review >USA Today Claudia Puig
Freedom Writers is an earnest, well-meaning attempt at inspirational teen drama. It has some moving scenes and honest observations, based on a school in Long Beach, Calif., but the movie sinks under the weight of formula and stereotypes.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt
The film is both too short and too long at two hours-plus. Not enough time is spent with the teens and far too much with their teacher.
Read Full Review >Miami Herald Connie Ogle
Freedom Writers is prone to throwing in unnecessary plot developments, so it never quite succeeds as anything more than "Dangerous Minds" Redux.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Rob Nelson
Reaction shots of the class's befuddled white boy are played for cheap laughs, but writer-director Richard LaGravenese otherwise keeps it real by recruiting cinematographer Jim Denault from Indieville High and Imelda Staunton--here playing Bitchy Old Department Head.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
In the recent "Half Nelson," a similarly themed classroom pic, liberalism struggled to balance its lingering hopes with its systemic despair. That film was pure fiction, yet felt absolutely true. This one is apparent fact, yet seems abjectly false.
Read Full Review >Empire Liz Beardsworth
Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there’s nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers.
Read Full Review >Film Threat Pete Vonder Haar
For my money, no movie comes close to capturing the high school experience like "The Substitute."
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marrit Ingman
The movie itself offers few real answers to the problems teachers face.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Anna L. gave it an8:
Very nice movie... Touching.
Fresh B. gave it a10:
Word up homies i seen a lot from da hood and its all about claiming property. This movie is dope as HELL! Live strong.
Edie P. gave it a10:
Since this is the high school I graduated from in 1950, the story fasinated me. I didn't have a clue such things had happen to MY school. I went to my 50th high school reunion in 2000 and not a word of it was mentioned. The school had been turned into a "progressive" school. I was at first shocked at this story and couldn't believe it had happened. Hillary Swank did an excellent job and made a believer out of me. If 150 students who had no hope could be turned around, then it makes me proud that I went to that very school. Thanks for bringing the story to light.
Jay H. gave it a7:
I was anticipating this to be just another one of those inspired teacher/tough student movies. And it is. But, this one somehow reaches deeper and is very much a touching and moving film. I didn't find it completely convincing, but the characters are so well developed, so rich in emotion, it becomes a very compelling piece of film making. Good performances from everyone.
Chantee J. gave it a10:
I must say that this is a very inspiring movie. Having a chid in high school, I would hope that his teachers would be jsut as encouraging as Ms. G. I very seldom see that kind of passion in any teachers now. I think this is a must see for all.
d r gave it a10:
The first movie ive seen where the problem of diversity and adversity in youth's life really reaches its core. amazing and heart touching.
Andrew G. gave it an8:
A solidly formulaic sappy movie that made me cry. Very mainstream, but entertaining nonetheless.
