Freedom Writers

Name: Freedom Writers
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime
Released: January 5, 2007
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey

2007

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings

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Freedom Writers

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 5, 2007 | PG-13

Starring: Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey

Summary: 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)

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 123 min

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Critic Reviews

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

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

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

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

TV Guide Magazine 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

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

Empire Liz Beardsworth

Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there’s nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers. Read full review

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User Reviews

BitB.

Jun 10, 2007

Incredibly inspirational and heart-felt. Great acting and cast. The whole Holocaust thing...powerful!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

RyanSolomon

May 4, 2013

It is very sad that this was a true story, but also a very brilliant piece of work, I am so happy that this movie wasn't so pompus. Usually movies about race always end up blaming white people who did nothing wrong, but this movie is just flat out touching and entertaining. One of my allIt is very sad that this was a true story, but also a very brilliant piece of work, I am so happy that this movie wasn't so pompus. Usually movies about race always end up blaming white people who did nothing wrong, but this movie is just flat out touching and entertaining. One of my all time favorites.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FreshB.

Feb 18, 2009

Word up homies i seen a lot from da hood and its all about claiming property. This movie is dope as HELL! Live strong.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

AndrewG.

Jun 12, 2007

A solidly formulaic sappy movie that made me cry. Very mainstream, but entertaining nonetheless.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spielberg00

Nov 14, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bottom Line: Based on a true story, made to look even more inspiring.

Moving and compelling drama finds Hilary Swank as a high school English teacher named Erin Gruwell. Ms. Gruwell is teaching teens (who are thought to be â… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ReidF.

Jan 27, 2007

A good film that does what it is supposed to do by telling the warm, well-crafted story of an actual teacher and her first class. Hillary Swank can play almost any role well, and this is no exception.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChadS.

Mar 9, 2007

"Freedom Writers" is a story that should rightfully be told...in the form of a documentary. As vanity projects go, this earnest telling of an extraordinary teacher and her second chance pupils isn't "Battlefield Earth"-bad, but it's close. You get the sense that these inner-city "Freedom Writers" is a story that should rightfully be told...in the form of a documentary. As vanity projects go, this earnest telling of an extraordinary teacher and her second chance pupils isn't "Battlefield Earth"-bad, but it's close. You get the sense that these inner-city kids have good hearts, however, the portrayal of their lives seem too sanitized to achieve versimilitude. At times, the film feels like "Boyz in the Hood" as rendered by the PAX network. There's also an odd episode or two that is more documentary than drama, which is an odd mix since the film makes no attempt at realism. This well-meaning film tries too hard to grab our hearts. The success and redemption of these hard-knock kids is somewhat blunted by an unwillingness on the filmmaker's part to be more objective about its subject.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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