Freedom Writers

Bibliographic Information: DeVito, D., Shamberg, M., & Sher, S. (Producers) & LaGravenese, R. (Director). (2007).  The freedom writers [Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures.

Plot Summary: Erin Gruwell didn’t know what she was getting herself into when she accepted her first teaching job at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA.  The recently integrated school contains a student population labeled “at-risk.”  On her first day in the her English class, she witnesses racial segregation, hateful speech, and violence.  When students stop attending her class and her department head fails to support her, Gruwell attempts to gain her students’ trust by giving them their own diaries to write in.  At first the students are hesitant to write in them, but over time they start sharing their stories of abuse, gang activity, and rough home lives.  Their stories touch Gruwell, and she takes on two part-time jobs to supply material and experiences her students badly need in their education.  Her husband is not happy with her decision and pressures her to spend more time with him.  Gruwell is up against a lot of roadblocks preventing her from doing what she feels passionately about- helping her students succeed.  

Critical Evaluation: What makes Freedom Writer so good is that it is based on a true story.  Opposition is a major theme throughout the movie, and it is overcome with a lot of hard work, dedication, patience, and love.  Erin Gruwell is a classic example of how believing in someone can give them the motivation to change.  Gruwell’s students were rough, they were not fond of her, and she refused to let them run her out of the classroom.  There were moments in the movie that were so painful to watch, because of how badly the students treated her.  It really is amazing that through all the opposition Gruwell experienced from her administration, department chair, family, and students, that she continued with her efforts to make a difference.  Eventually her students saw this dedication and realized that she genuinely cared about them.  Gruwell’s hard work eventually pays off when the students think of and treat each other like family.  In this environment, Gruwell was able to prepare students to graduate and attend college, a feat many others thought to be impossible.  

Reader’s Annotation: Sometimes all someone needs is a little love, a little hope, and a little writing to become free.

Information about the director: Before beginning his career as a film director and producer, RIchard LaGravenese studied acting and experimental theater at New York University.  He struggled to make ends meet, so he transitioned into the film community and saw success rather quickly.  The Fisher King, his second screenplay, earned an Oscar nomination (YAHOO Movies, n.d.).

    LaGravenese other well-known films include The Bridges of Madison County (1995), P.S., I Love You (2007), and The Chronicles of Narnia: They Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama

Curriculum Ties: English (writing)

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. Read a diary entry from one of the students.

2. Describe the student population.

Reading level/Interest age: 13+

Challenge Issues: This movie contains “violent content, some thematic material and language” (IMDb, n.d.).

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I chose this movie: This movie is a feel-good story that young adults love to watch.  It is based on true events from the teaching career of Erin Gruwell.  The movie show that through a lot of determination, many obstacles can be overcome.  It also shows how support and love can encourage people to better themselves.

References:

IMDb. (n.d.). Freedom Writers. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/

YAHOO! Movies. (n.d.).  RIchard LaGravenese- Biography. Retrieved from http://movies.yahoo.com/person/richard-lagravenese/biography.html