Freedom Writers (2007)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Richard LaGravenese

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

5 January 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

our story. our words.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

High School | Teacher | False Accusation | Racial Slur | Dancing

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Écrire pour exister (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Diarios de la calle (Spain) [es]
Escritores de la libertad (Mexico) [es]
Escritores de libertad (Argentina) (DVD title) [es]
Freedom Writers (Italy) [it]
Freedom Writers (Greece) (cable TV title) [el]

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | Netherlands:12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-11 | Norway:15 | Sweden:11 | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:M | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Vanetta Smith, who played the student Brandy, was on the show Endurance (TV Series) in its third season. Her team placed 5th out of 8.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the beginning of the movie when Mrs. G is new to the school, in the office, she picks up her coffee cup and puts it down, then in the next shot you can see her putting the coffee cup down again.

Quotes:

Brandy: In every war, there is an enemy. I watched my mother being hlaf-beaten to death, and watched as bloodand tears streamed down her face. I felt useless and scared, and furious at the same time. I can still feel the sting of the belt on my back and my legs. One time he couldn't pay the rent. That night he stopped us on the street and pointed to the concrete. He said, "pick a spot."

Movie Connections:

References Die Hard (1988)

Soundtrack:

This Is How We Do It

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!