Freedom Writers

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2:16

Freedom Writers

PG-13

2007

2h 3m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Crime

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

124 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

A dedicated teacher (Hilary Swank) in a racially divided Los Angeles school has a class of at-risk teenagers deemed incapable of learning. Instead of giving up, she inspires her students to take an interest in their education and planning their future. She assigns reading material that relates to their lives and encourages them all to keep journals.

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Critics Consensus

Freedom Writers is a frank, formulaic entry in the inspirational inner-city teacher genre, with an energetic Hilary Swank leading the appealing cast of unknowns.

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Kat Halstead

Little White Lies

02/27/2007

3/5

You'll be embarrassed, sad, happy then exhausted.

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Anna Smith

BBC.com

02/27/2007

3/5

Has its inspiring moments - especially given the true story - and some tense, dramatic scenes amid the speedy montages of confusing gang action.

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Liz Moody

Empire Magazine

02/27/2007

2/5

Despite solid work from the engaging cast, there's nothing new here to distinguish Freedom Writers as anything beyond a C+.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

08/19/2023

LaGravenese tends to simplify and lean on the melodrama but he tells the stories of the students with compassion, notably Eve (April Lee Hernandez), who has grown up in a war zone of an inner city defined by ethnic boundaries.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

10/21/2022

3.5/5

This film delivered an injection of fresh ideas into a stale genre.

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Kaleem Aftab

The List

11/03/2018

3/5

A touching performance from Hilary Swank ensures that Freedom Writers is not just another tripe genre movie.

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Matty R

@MattyRKant Mar 22

Real feel good film. Hilary Swank is perfectly cast.

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Dakota H

@bakintoast Feb 15

There's so much heart and obvious care in this movie's production. Anything less than 5 stars would be an insult. I don't know if the low-star reviewers are insulted or jaded, but this isn't some shallow-perspective flick about the POC. It doesn't solve the problem, but it's an honest interpretation of a plight many face, to this day. I'd rather this movie exist and not be perfect than it to never have been created. The majority of my opinions aren't intractable, and I pride myself on that flexibility. The idea that this movie isn't a positive influence, culturally, is the exception. I can't imagine the conversation that would have to take place to convince me this film isn't an icon.

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Christopher R.

@Mr.Crafte Dec 28

One of the worst in the white savior teaches troubled city youth genre.

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Robert M

@Texflex Dec 21

Solid movie. Well acted.

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Moe A.

@moethelastairbender Jul 4

Hit me right in the heart when I was younger, and it still packs a powerful punch today. It’s a raw, real story about the magic of education and the strength of empathy. The performances shine, and it leaves you inspired to believe in change. Every educator needs this one on their watchlist!

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Andrew B

@RT56354645 Jul 3

Great movie on a true story that was evident in the detail and timbre. Hilary Swank does an excellent job of avoiding preachiness or condescension toward her class, which is particularly challenging with this subject matter. Overall the film moves somewhat periodically and predictably to reach truely exciting heights, but makes you want to pick up a book and reach your potential.

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Richard LaGravenese

Director

Hilary Swank

Erin Gruwell

Patrick Dempsey

Scott

Scott Glenn

Steve

Imelda Staunton

Margaret Campbell

April L. Hernandez

Eva

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - We Mattered

2:06

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Are Not Failing

1:35

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Don't Even Like Them

2:13

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - Paco Did It

2:05

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - I Am Home

2:01

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - When Will I Be Free?

1:54

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - You Are The Heroes

2:05

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - Not So Different

1:45

Freedom Writers: Official Clip - I Saw the War for the First Time

1:27

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Freedom Writers: Trailer 1

2:16

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Synopsis

A dedicated teacher (Hilary Swank) in a racially divided Los Angeles school has a class of at-risk teenagers deemed incapable of learning. Instead of giving up, she inspires her students to take an interest in their education and planning their future. She assigns reading material that relates to their lives and encourages them all to keep journals.

Director: Richard LaGravenese
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Richard LaGravenese
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Double Feature Films, Paramount Pictures, Jersey Films, MTV Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Material|Language|Violent Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 5, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.6M
Runtime: 2h 3m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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