Fresh
Engaging but cliched inspirational drama set during the time of the 1992 race riots in Los Angeles. On some level, just about any movie featuring never-say-die teachers is effective.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
Freedom Writers
Their story. Their world. Their future.
2007 · 2h 3m · PG-13
Crime, Drama
Directed by
Richard LaGravenese
Overview
A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
69%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Square, sincere, and proud of it.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Rotten
Our eager-beaver heroine suffers the kids' sarcasm, fails to earn their respect by bringing in a Tupac tape, then wins them over in a crucial scene that, fact-based or not, rings as false as anything in Dangerous Minds.
Rob Nelson, Village Voice
Fresh
Corny? You bet. And worse when the plot veers into the glitz of a Dangerous Minds and the sappiness of a TV After School Special. But the movie, which Swank helped produce by using her clout as a two-time Oscar winner, gets to you.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Rotten
Freedom Writers is another exceptional teacher scenario not so different from the norm.
Tom Charity, CNN.com
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