Freedom Writers

I am changing my style a little - I will write short reviews (less than 200 words) on my blog, then provide a link to a longer review on Epinions.com (once I have written it). Let me know if you feel I should go back to publishing the full review on my blog?

Hilary Swank as Ellen Gruwell, is a novice High School teacher who refuses to ignore low achievers while concentrating on high achievers. As she builds trust within her racially diverse classroom, we begin to see the different cultures, the difficulties and yet the similarities each race faces. With use of history, and cultures who have suffered through time, she is able to form a bond with her class, despite the misgivings of ‘higher’ teachers.

Despite the story getting a little bogged down, and at times skimming over some important issues, the movie is emotive and powerful. With the use of flash-backs to tell the stories of some of the students, the movie attempts to let you inside the head of the characters, demonstrating what moves them and what shapes them in life. Swank is very good as the teacher caught in the middle, and this together with a staunch performance from Imelda Staunton, the movie is quite convincing.

Overall I liked Freedom Writers; it is sentimental and at times tough to watch, but it is very good. (Rating: 4/5)

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