| Cast and Crew: Starring: Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Imelda Staunton, Scott Glenn, April Lee Hernandez Directed by: Richard LaGravenese Produced by: Hilary Swank, Tracey Durning, Danny DeVito |
| Movie: Freedom Writers 3.5of 4 Stars Rated PG-13 for Violence and Mild Language |
| Freedom Writers 3.5 of 4 Stars Freedom Writers is one of those rare movies that come along and actually have fact to back up its premise. This is the true story of Erin Gruwell and her desire to reach out to the students under her "care", as a first year teacher in Inner City Los Angeles County. The movie starts out as a new teacher "Eric Gruwell, played by Hillary Swank", comes to a new assignment, and to her dismay realizes that the students are at war with another. You have the Latino, Asian and African American students who all belong or are associated with a gang. Each being a racist in their own way, allowing the barriers to tear them down from within. Erin realizes that to the school system, these kids are a lost cause and accepts the challenge of trying to reach them in a unique way. Erin Gruwell finally reaches the kids by getting them to write anything they want and by keep a journal. After time the kids realize that their teacher not only wants to reach them, but that she cares about them. They develop this inseparable bond that you rarely see in the school system, and learn from one another about heritage, heart and personal history. I had a chance to speak with the real life Erin Gruwell and she was an amazing woman. She spoke about her passion for others and about her love for her students. She also touched on the fact that she wanted to respect her ex husband, and was hoping that people would understand that she was not trying to paint him in a bad light. She acknowledged that she might even do some things differently had she had the chance in that circumstance. She realized that her energy level and her devotion should have transcended into her marriage as well. Erin allowed me to ask all the questions I wanted in a no holds bard interview. She told me that she was so blessed for the influence her father had in her life. He was a man who at one time was not in favor of her being a teacher in such circumstances, but ended up being her biggest ally, confidant, and support. Both the kids and everyone in his life respected him and she will always love him. He passed on a few years ago. Erin spoke candidly about the fact that she was transformed by the kids as much as they were by her. She has an uncanny respect for those in a situation that are so far removed from her way of being brought up and she has the desire to see the racial barriers broken. She said that through writing and giving the kids the same chance that others have had, that anyone from any circumstance can grow and transcend anything with education. Talking with Erin allowed me to see the person that Hillary Swank was playing in such a deeper light. She said that everyone on the set was so incredible to work with and although she did not want to influence Hillary Swank from using her own artist personality, that her and Hillary grew very close through this experience. Hillary actually wanted to dive so far into the character that she even wore the same close that Erin Wore while teaching. Erin has said that her desire is going to continue to work with students from the inner city and reach out the those who are hurting to class barriers, racial divides and lower income situations. I also want to point out the incredible job that Hillary Swank did. She appeared to bit a bit out of sorts in the beginning of the movie, however I realized that is what really happened in real life. Coming into a world that is so unknown and into an environment that is unlike anything one has experience. Hillary Swank shines in her role, as does Mario who plays one of the gang members. I had a chance to also talk to Mario who is an awesome actor who possesses a heart for acting as well as a genuine heart for the Lord. I have nothing but respect for Erin Gruwell and the cast that worked on Freedom Writers. Parental Warning: Some Violence and Mild Language - 10 and up should be fine |
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