Customer Reviews

Movie in Tolerance and Inspiration - By: M. A. Ramos, 05 Oct 2007
This movie is based on the book "The Freedom Writers diary: how a teacher & 150 teens used writing to change themselves & the world around them" by the Freedom Writers & Erin Gruwell. It is an inspiring & uplifting movie, a true story about a teacherin a racially divided school who gives her students a chance to learn that they is a world beyond the one they can seein front of them. Erin Gruwell comes to a southern California high school & discovers that her unruly classroom is not easily won over by her good intentions. She eventually gives them the assignment of keeping journals about their own lives, This assignment is something that anyone can do, write anything they want daily without having to worry about being judged. This assignment & her willingness to listen is what bond the class together. The movie shows that regardless of where you are nowin your life, what background, race or culture you come from; that anything is possible if you are willing to work & just try.

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Good film on a excellent disc - By: Starbuck Fan, 16 Jul 2007
Very enjoyable film on a cracking disc with a fantastic picture!...To answer the Dr's question...Most US or Region A blu-ray's will play on a Region B or UK machine. The only ones that I definately know won't are any from the Fox studio & also some Disney titles This film is from the Paramount Studio that does'nt support regional coding so although it is a Region A disc it will deffo play on a region B UK player. Hope this helps

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Region coding? - By: Dr. B. Cooke, 15 Jul 2007
I'm keen to get this on BluRay, but as far as I know it isn't yet available for region B (Europe & Africa), & Amazon don't say what region this item is. Most of usin the UK can't play region A disks. Can anyone tell me more about this? Is this item region A or B?

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Fresh Spin on a Generic Genre - By: TomBeTom, 07 Jun 2007
Treading exceedingly familiar ground as it continues along, 2007's "Freedom Writers" is easily one of the most inspired & superior films of its varietyin many a year -- that of new teacherin school inspires gang-affiliated poverty-stricken students to make greater stepsin their lives & fulfill their potential. That's because, while genericin portions, "Freedom Writers" brings its own freshness to proceedings. Daring moreso than another sub-genre teacher/student piece of recent times -- that being "Coach Carter" -- "Freedom Writers" carves out its own individuality with frequent examples of poignancy & cultural relevance. Few racial-focused stories such as thatin this movie would dare go so far as to mention pivotal eventsin human history -- this time the holocaust -- as "Freedom Writers" does. Summarized as its own picture, "Freedom Writers" is at times too conventional & predictable to fully captivate or intrigue an audience. This is an unspectacul character study, not caring to cater to the less aware of the modern mainstream movie audience & demanding careful attention but not all the better for it when the target audience sees it for the forgettable item it is.

This time around the cliche inspirational teacher of the piece is Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), a novice white school teacherin a minority-dominated school. Her students are mostly at-risk, affiliated with gangs & drug-taking teenagers without the sort of supportin school that white students receive & feel disconnected & resentful towards their new idealistic teacher. However, their opinions begin to change slightly when she opens their eyes to & encourages them to apply themselves, become more tolerant & pursue further education.

Hilary Swank is undoubtedly above the material that she's been given to work with. Bringing warmth & realism to her positive-thinking novice teacher that many would fail to achieve. Her character remains cliched & unoriginal to an extent though, but nevertheless what Swank brings to the moviein acting quality is immeasurable. The supporting players are numerous, each bringing believability to their characters even though they're cut-and-paste examples of conflicted people from previous cinematic efforts. As Erin's other half, Patrick Dempsey is but an afterthought merely present for his recognisable name alone.

"Freedom Writers" doesn't goin any particularly different directions to the norm. However, the unfolding action on-screen is realised & captivating enough to command the viewer's attention & keep them interested. Whether "Freedom Writers" can be criticised credibly for such a fresh spin on the sub-genre while treading extremely familiar territory throughout is another matter, but a lack of originality nearly always warrants at least a tad of criticism. "Freedom Writers" isn't nearly good enough to overcome glaringly dated material, much unlike 2007's wonderful, fun "Fracture".

"Freedom Writers" is captivatingin samples, but doesn't deliver the outstanding qualities that a generic picture as such demands to be wholly worthwhile. Some parts are poor -- see when Erin reads the diaries of her students & they appearin her mind sat at their respective desks -- & some are poignant -- Erin telling the students about the holocaust. A mixed bag, but a good collective project regardless of its many flaws.

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[] Freedom Writers - By: Gareth Ingham, 24 Feb 2007
well i saw this film recently & was overwhelmed by how emotional this film gets you. although when i first saw the trailor i pretty much thought that it was just an up to date version of 'dangerous minds' &in ways it is.. but much better.

hilary swank gives an outstanding performance & the supporting cast are also excellant which gives the film an extra bonus.

i love the true story aspect of this film & i think you should all watch it because it gives a clear message about life that can still standin the world today & i think thats just what cinema should be doing these days.