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Film Critique

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Making a Difference Freedom Writers was a controversial movie based on a true story. Watching this movie it was clear that it was not going to be your average story about a teacher and her students, but instead it was much more than what was anticipated. It was hard not to be moved by the stories of each student and the difference this teacher was able to make in their lives.

This story of a young, fairly inexperienced teacher named Erin Gruwell shows just what one person can accomplish when one cares as much as Erin did. She had to deal with much adversity while attempting to teach at-risk students who were dealing with their own every day battles.

Erin gives her students a chance to share their own story by giving them each a notebook to write in about their life. The story of each student is brought to life through what they share on the pages of their own notebook. And this is how the title of the story, Freedom Writers was incorporated.

Erin also learns, through a joke made on another student in the class, that they have never heard or know anything about the Holocaust. Erin is completely surprised and saddened to learn of their ignorance about such a horrific time in our world.

After learning that her students were unaware of the atrocities of the Holocaust, Erin makes it her mission to make certain that her students learn what happened during World War II. After reading The Story of Anne Frank and visiting a Holocaust museum, the students realize that like them, others have suffered greatly.

It was not easy to watch this movie at times as pictures and stories from the Holocaust were hard to imagine, especially knowing that the lives of millions of people were lost and families were destroyed, forever!

A visit to the students from a woman who actually helped survivors of the Holocaust was so moving. She made quite an impression on Erin’s students as they thought of her as a hero. When in reality, she thought of the students as true heroes dealing with and surviving what they live through each day.

The film is both moving and encouraging as it brought out what others live through each and every day. The story gives an excellent depiction of the hardships of the students while also sharing how they overcame their daily struggles with the help of a caring and devoted teacher.

Two-time Academy Award® Hillary Swank gave an outstanding performance as teacher Erin Gruwell. Her portrayal of this selfless individual was authentic and inspiring. This was especially admirable knowing that she faced the challenge of going through a divorce while continuing in her quest of excellence for her students.

What was so encouraging was finding out at the end of the movie that Erin’s fight to continue to teach and be with her students until they graduated was granted by the school board. Her students were overjoyed knowing that they would be with the teacher that taught and cared so much for each of them.

Freedom Writers is a story that will always be a top-notch movie. There are so many lessons to learn from this story. Taking the time to care for others can change a person’s life for the better. This is a movie that should be highly recommended to others as it will truly inspire and encourage the viewers.

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