I’ve always thought that the MTV generation is a horribly apathetic bunch. We’ve grown up in a climate that doesn’t require us to be socially conscious. Likewise, I don’t expect much from MTV Films except the usual teeny-bopping, angst- filled, “nobody-understands-me” varieties such as Save the Last Dance 1 & 2 It came as a pleasant surprise when I found that Freedom Writers is nothing of that sort.

Based on the best-selling 1999 book The Freedom Writers Diary, Freedom Writers is a stirring, powerful and inspirational piece of work by director and screenwriter Richard LaGravenese who also produced and directed 2003’s A Decade Under the Influence[starring 2-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, Freedom Writers tells the true story of Erin Gruwell (Swank), a dedicated, passionate, but sheltered, teacher who refuses to give up on her under-performing, delinquent and racially intolerant students, despite overwhelming odds.

In the period of distrust, uncertainty and widespread gang violence following the aftermath of the Rodney King racial riots, getting an education and a job was the last thing on the minds of the disillusioned, impoverished youths in Room 203 of Woodrow Wilson High School, as they struggle to survive on the harsh streets of California. Being a gang member was not a matter of choice; it was survival. It was ‘protecting your own’, as Eva (April Lee Hernandez) puts it. The Latino girl in Erin’s class witnessed her relative being brutally gunned down for his skin colour.

It was no surprise then, that Erin meets fierce resistance and suspicion from her students, who viewed her as another teacher who doesn’t understand them. It doesn’t help that she’s the only white person apart from Ben (Hunter Parrish) in the class. Her initial attempts at connecting with them fail miserably, but she’s determined not to give up. The turning point came when she intercepted a racial caricature drawn by one of her students that mocked black people. Overcome with emotion, she begins to tell them the story of Hitler’s Holocaust, about how one man’s racism led to the genocide of 6 million Jews.

Visibly quieted, the students began to view her, and each other, in a different light. She makes them read The Diary of Anne Frank and visit museums to understand more about the Holocaust, even going so far as to invite survivors of the Holocaust to meet them, all the while holding 2 other jobs so as to provide them with materials denied them by the red tape in school.

Seeing that each of her students has their own daily struggles and life stories, Erin encourages and challenges them to write them down, forming the basis of what is to become the Freedom Writers Diary. Slowly but surely, her students start to make something of their lives, and to forget all the hatred and mistrust that have dogged them all their lives.

Freedom Writers is a truly uplifting celebration of the strength of the human spirit and tells us what’s truly important in life. It’s also a sterling example of the magic excellent teachers can do with the most hardened of students, of the importance of racial harmony, and most importantly, of the transforming power of dedication, love and words.

It most certainly helps that there is formidable acting across the board, especially the students, although they certainly don’t look like the teenagers they’re supposed to depict. Still, they stand out with superb acting, with April Lee Hernandez (as Eva), the singer Mario (as Andre), and Deance Wyatt (as Jamal) shining in particular. Patrick Dempsey puts in a strong performance as Swank’s neglected husband caught in a personal turmoil between self-interest and his wife’s success, while Imelda Staunton is the Department Head who is jealous of Swank’s achievements and tries to impede her. Swank, is of course the star, and certainly shines in her role.

All in all, it’s an amazing movie that everyone should watch. It will certainly give you a brand new perspective on life.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Movie Details
Opens: 29 March
Runtime: 123 minutes
Cast: Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn
Director: Richard LaGravenese