I saw the movie “Freedom Writers” today. Incredible. There was some insensitive doofus up the back pretending to mock-cry at the movie. I guess it doesn’t touch everyone, but it sure touched me. I cried 4 or 5 times as my heart went out to the people in the movie.
It’s a true story about a teacher, Erin Gruwell, who breaks through and helps a group of teens aspire to more and achieve more. Here is a quote from the Freedom Writers Foundation website:
She (Erin Gruwell) encouraged them to rethink rigid beliefs about themselves and others, to reconsider daily decisions, and to rechart their futures. With Erin’s steadfast support, her students shattered stereotypes to become critical thinkers, aspiring college students, and citizens for change.
I left the movie with hope. I thought “this is a movie worth making”. Hollywood can make a movie that adds value to our lives and sensitizes us, not just desensitizes us with more and more grotesque bloodshed and violence and skin.
It’s a true story about growth and overcoming. Here is a clip by an actor comparing his life to the real person’s life.
This is not a 9-mile or gangsta movie. This is about people and how to foster identity and growth by encouraging people to see other people as people, not through a filter of color.
This is the trailer:
This is a movie that moves me to passionate feelings. If you have seen it, let me know what you thought please.
Filed under: Faith
THIS MOVIE IS TRUY BEAUTIFUL. I T LEAVES A DEEP MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO CAN BE REALTED IN THE MOVIE AND AT THE SAME TIME JUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING IT. THE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE AND AFTER WATCHING THIS FILM I REALISE IT IS ONLY LIKE THIS BECAUSE WE ALL AS HUMANS MADE IT LIKE THIS. BUT IF WE JUST OPEN OUR EYES AND LOOK AROUND US, WE CAN SEE THE CHANGES WE CAN MAKE TO MAKE IT BETTER…BETTER FOR YOU…BETTER FOR ME…BETTER FOR EVERYONE.
*****
I BELEIVE THIS MOVIE IS FIVE STARS
This ’s the best film i’ve ever seen. It’s really interesting to see the real life situation in it. Haliry is a kind of woman who dedicated her life for others to be seen alive. Simply it’s fantastic. Melsew from ETHIOPIA.
How much will you sacrifice for your beliefs? Erin’s divorce was inevitable, given her attitudes toward those kids and her husband’s conflicting needs. I don’t think she acted inappropriately. It was just unfortunate that she chose a husband who was not as committed to changing people’s lives as she was. Given her father’s passion about Civil Rights and he feelings that he did not approve of her choices, it is possible she married someone who was not “just like Daddy”. It was her father who went on the field trips, not her husband and her father’s approvals he was seeking.
I thought the movie was great but it disturbed me a bit that she chose to go along with these particular students all the way to college. What about all the other freshman and sophomores she could have helped in succeeding years? To Sir with Love and Stand and Deliver both promise future years of helping subsequent students blossom. It may have been that she had bonded so firmly with these kids, had made them “her” family, that after losing her husband, she couldn’t stand to lose what she’d sacrificed so much and fought so much for. Thoughts?
Hi DK. Sadly… I think you are right on the money about her intentions and the outcome that was inevitable. You clearly know more aout her than me. I think her decision to go on with the kids was the RIGHT one. The reason is that she realized the need to see these kids through and there was no one to hand them on to. She HAD to stay with them, so they can turn around and return and make a difference. If the next teacher was capable, she could have let the kids go, but there was no one to reinforce her work, so she sustained them all the way through. Kids are kids. They are not adults. Someone has to help and keep helping and stay the course. That might be you and me, but it needs to be someone. God bless you! Mark.
See Mark, (and this is where I’m so conflicted) She had a good heart and was very passionate about what she was doing – and did it thinking it was for a greater good.
So someone is passionate about their ministry and work. Is it ok to leave you kids at home alone and not feed them? Nope. So should you abandon your life-long commitment to your husband? Nope.
I guess it’s all about balance.
As I watched that movie I saw this coming. It often happens to all workaholics. I was hoping that she would find a better balance, or perhaps find a way to include him in, so he felt ownership and enthusiasm. The essence of it is simple: integrity to her commitment to him. She needed to find time to nurture her relationship with him. She didn’t value the relationship with him and she lost him.
BUT remember, this is the Hollywood version. It’s the movie. In reality we have NO IDEA what actually happened between them. You and I are just discussing a movie and trying to evaluate how we can live our lives.
I also fear this problem. I am passionate about helping people and I know that if I am not equally yoked with a partner who also wants to live for others, the same problem awaits me. Equal yoking is the solution.
Hey Mark!
Wow, I didnt think you were into films like that. I saw that movie a while ago and I loved it too! It was disheartening to see the attitudes of the faculity and staff members of the school but it was so commendable to see her do whatever was needed to make a change and an impact in their lives. How cool was the exposure to the restaurants and such?
I’ll tell you what, on a personal note – my heart broken with the scenes concerning her marriage. That really struck a chord of fear in me…what if….that were me, and he couldnt handle my success.
Anywho, thanks for posting your movie review! Its always a pleasure.
Hiya R.
Yes my heart broke for her too… but I could easily see it coming, did you? She really wasn’t in the relationship at all… her life revolved around her “work”.
Mental note to self (and you) no matter how much I love my job and how much it fulfills me, make sure to cherish and honor and spend time with my other half.
God bless,
Mark.
I have not seen it, but I want to after this clip.
Blessings in Christ Jesus.