Freedom Writers

Loved Hilary Swanks character, so brave and confident. I pretty much love anything with a little Patrick Dempsey, but he was not his usual self in this one. :( Without giving the movie away, I will quit here. Great movie though.. :)

I love that movie too. So powerful indeed.

And it's so funny you blogged about it, because it made me think of you...I remember thinking that had you been a teacher, you would have been that kind of teacher...so inspiring like you!

I haven't seen this movie but thought it looked good when the theatrical trailer came out. I don't know why I haven't rented it yet. That and 'The Pursuit of Happyness'. I guess I should rent them on the long weekend coming up, eh?

Hmmm, I'd just placed this movie in my Netflix queue this morning! Looking forward to it.
C

I saw this movie for the first time today and I am soo moved. I cried throughout most of it. The best movie I have seen in a long LONG time.

my daughter loved that movie! such a good message too!

I have to admit that I bought the DVD originally because Patrick Dempsey was in the movie.... i know very shallow, but sogood to look at LOL!! I had heard a bit of the story before I watched it. It turned out to be one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen! Hilary Swank was awesome and the story about her faith in her students really made me think. I was very emotional through out the movie. What an amazing teacher!!! See, I got past my McDreamy fix!!!

It was an awesome movie....very inspiring.

Loved this movie. I spent most of it choked up. I have collections of these types of "triumph" movies.

This was a GREAT movie! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was funny that Patrick Dempsey was billed so highly and he's barely in the movie and he really plays kind of a jerk. Hillary Swank carried this movie! Love the message. It's just an all around good movie!

VERY GOOD MOVIE!! I love it...!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie! It is so inspiring. And I love knowing that there are people out there who actually believe in these kids, rather thann just give them up to the "system". It made me want to be a better person overall. Love things like that!

Saw it a few weeks ago - Loved it - such a motivational story - absolutely awesome!

Have not seen the movie but read the book on a long slow plane to China. I was so moved by her story, their stories and all of the stories combined. I had many of those teachers that cared growing up and believed that I was "smarter than the track" and because of them I had some really amazing opportunities in life. I [heart] teachers with all my heart.

Ali,
I have seen this movie and it was at a critical moment in my life. I am a teacher a low income elementary school (82% free/reduced lunch population). I had put in for a transfer due to the fact that my children will be in school soon. After watching this movie, I knew it was the wrong decision to transfer. I love my school and the challenges I face. I love seeing my students succeed! We are graduating a validictorian this year! I had this student when he was in 6th grade and it is an awesome, validating feeling. I plan on letting him know how proud he has made us! So, to make a long story short, I chose not to transfer and I am having a great year. I feel my decision was the perfect one! I have a great class. I am even learning about autism (and how great the spectrum is) as I have a little boy who is autistic. He is amazing.
Thanks for asking about this movie, and I am sorry my comment is so long, but it was truly an inspiring movie that I needed in my life. Awesome!!!

After hearing nothing, but bad reviews about the movie I finally put it on my netflix list and watched it two weeks ago. I loved the movie and the message.

Hi Ali! I met you at CKU Orlando a couple years back! Really enjoy your blog..glad I found it. I will look for this movie...my daughter is a writer in the works...check out what else she is up to www.charityis.org/september/birthdays/april.martin.html and www.xanga.com'aprilshowers835
THANKS!

My husband and I sometimes have a tough time finding movies we both enjoy to watch together. Something about him needing space ships and aliens? In any case, I checked this one out from our local library a couple of weeks ago, and popped it in without telling him what the movie was. We both enjoyed it immensely. I even heard him recommending it to a couple other people after we watched it. Nice job Hilary!

It was a great movie, but it was "fiction" for the most part. Sadly, those of us teaching and living in LB have suffered backlash from that film. I was at a conference for AP teachers this summer and my instructor was from OR; he was nervous about coming to LB b/c of that film! That school is actually pretty upper class w/o the problems emphasized. IT is a good movie about a teacher's dedication to her students, which I believe most teachers hope to emulate. But, hopefully, everyone won't suddenly think LB is a scary place to visit!