Freedom Writers

by Brian Fiore

I wasn't crazy about the idea of seeing this movie.  There were a few reasons why; first, the whole white teacher makes a difference in an inner city school has been done to death.  Also, because I am a teacher, I sometimes find a little disconnect when the subject of a film is my profession.  I guess I find it more difficult to suspend disbelief when the topic is so close to my heart. Having said all that, I loved this movie.

The film is based on diaries written by students of Erin Gruwell (played by Hillary Swank), and is set in Long Beach, California, shortly after the L.A. Riots in 1992.  Gruwell's arrival as a white teacher in a predominantly Black, Latino, and Korean school is met with resistance, both from the students and administration of the school.  The story follows an extremely predictable arch. The students don't like her, she can't get through, the assistant principal won't support her efforts because most of them won't make it to their junior year… I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

But a remarkable thing happens.  Outside of the classroom, we follow several students through their narratives.  These are among the most moving and inspirational moments I've seen on film in some time.  One student is witness to a murder, and is convinced to place the blame on an innocent person to, "protect her own."  Her struggle to do the right thing against the wishes of her family is a central theme of the film.  Another plot line follows a boy who has been kicked out of his house by his mother, and has been living on the street since joining a gang at an early age.

The least effective parts of the film involve Swank and her husband (Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsy).  Swank's portrayal of Erin Gruwell was clichéd and over the top in her attempt to be an enthusiastic outsider.  Her foil in the film (Imelda Swanton as Assistant Principle Campbell) is effective in her roll, but there is no background given as to why she is so resistant to the changes Ms. Gruwell is attempting to make.  It's as if she is a traditionalist for the sake of being traditional.  I seriously doubt that a building administrator would be so resistive to a teacher who is implementing programs with the full support and backing of the school board – especially those that are showing improvement in scores.  The film is set in the era before our current administration's No Child Left Behind act, though some references are made to standardized testing.  (I'll stay off of my soap box in this form)

Despite these flaws, the film does manage to be moving and at times authentic.  I was very easily able to relate to Gruwell's finding a second job to pay for her main job.  Many teachers (me included) have had to do similar things for the good of our under privileged students. 

After seeing the film, my wife and I rushed to our local Borders to purchase the diary upon which the movie is based.  The last time I can remember being so moved to literally go straight from the theatre to purchase something related was when I saw Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and rushed to buy the phenomenal soundtrack. That says a lot for a movie, and this one is definitely worth a look, especially for educators or fans of this genre.