Freedom Writers

Here is a story of an idealistic 23-year old Erin Gruwell as she steps inside Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, sporting a crisp business suit, a string of pearls and all the enthusiasm of taking on the world on her first day of teaching. And here is her class awaits with a diverse group of teenagers from different walks of life - African Americans, Latinos, Asians, juvenile delinquents, gang members, and underprivileged students from poor neighborhoods.

Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank plays admirably the role of young Erin as she transforms her class from a hopeless daily routine of anarchy to something beyond their ghetto reality. Erin begins to connect with them by bringing in music from the 'Hood', and literature from another kind of ghetto, 'The Diary of Anne Frank'. Using such simple tools she opens her students' mind and eyes to the experiences of those suffering intolerance throughout the world and the struggles of those outside their own communities infested with gang violence and racial slurs.

Erin encourages students to keep a daily journal of their thoughts and experiences in their world. After sharing their stories with one another, the students see their shared experience for the first time and open up their mind to possibilities in life outside.

The film could successfully tell this inspirational true story and could wonderfully transmit every aspect of this testimony to courage, hope and the human spirit's triumph over intolerance prevalent in a complex network of human relationship. Much of the credit goes to writer/director Richard LaGravenese, best known for his screenwriting ("The Fisher King," "The Bridges of Madison County," "The Horse Whisperer," "Beloved"). "Freedom Writers" is LaGravenese's first major feature film in almost a decade. His 1998 directorial venture, "Living Out Loud," starring Holly Hunter, Danny DeVito and Queen Latifah, proved he could manage and direct a multifaceted cast, and in 'Freedom Writer' he goes much beyond that potential.

...And we also see another Oscar possibility for Hilary Swank here for the usual intensity and involvement that she could represent in screen year after year.

Here is the official site: freedomwriters.com. The film is rated PG-13 for violent content, some thematic material and language.