Freedom Writers (Widescreen) (HD-DVD) ~ Imelda Staunton (actor) Cover Art

Bookmark for this productThis link will open in a new window

Freedom Writers (Widescreen) (HD-DVD)

Imelda Staunton (actor), Hilary Swank (actor) and Richard LaGravenese (director)

More About this Product
List Price: $39.99
Tower Price: $38.99
You Save: $1.00 (3%)
Add to BagAdd to Bag Click to go directly to the checkout.
FREE Shop N' Save Shipping. Check individual shipping price.
 
Availability: In Stock
To ensure delivery by December 24th, learn more about our 2008 holiday delivery schedule. Offer valid while quantities last.

Product Description

Run a Quick Search on "Freedom Writers" starring Imelda Staunton to Browse Related Products:

Browse more products related to "Freedom Writers"

Browse more products related to "Imelda Staunton, Hilary Swank and Richard LaGravenese"

Review

Entertainment Weekly, 01/19/2007, p.60, "[S]incere, and proud of it."

New York Times, 01/05/2007, p.E1, "[A] film with a strong emotional tug and smartly laid foundation."

Sight and Sound, 04/01/2007, 59, "It's a stirring real-life tale, and Hilary Swank is a suitably perky, excitable lead..."

Total Film, 04/01/2007, p.42, 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he device of using the kids' personal stories delivers more honest uplift than many previous efforts."

Ultimate DVD, 05/01/2007, p.106, 3 stars out of 5 -- "[A]t moments both provocative and moving....This is an engrossing true-to-life drama..."

Title Note

Theatrical Release: January 5, 2007

Release Note

HD DVD Features:

Keep Case
Widescreen
Audio:
(unspecified) - French
Dolby Digital 2.0 - English, French
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Additional Release Material:
Alternate Scenes - Deleted Scenes
Behind the Scenes - "Making 'A Dream'"
Documentaries - "Freedom Writers: The Story Behind the Story"
Featurettes - "FREEDOM WRITERS Family"
Trailers - Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Selection
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos

Product Notes

Based on actual diary accounts of several teenagers following the L.A. riots, FREEDOM WRITERS is the story of an idealistic teacher's attempts to make a difference in the lives of her at-risk students. Located in gang-ravaged Long Beach, California, Woodrow Wilson High is a hotbed of violence due to a voluntary integration program which brings Black, Latino, Asian, and White students together. Rather than having the desired effect of creating healthy diversity, this program breeds constant war between all parties involved, the result being daily gun shots, constant racial slurs, and gang violence.

Played largely by young unknowns, the freshman class in question is both naïve and wise beyond its years. While never having heard of the Holocaust, these kids are well-versed in the pain of poverty, the legal system, and death. Despite being up against unthinkable violence, devoted first-time teacher Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank) never gives up, slowly bonding with her class of at-first unreachable pupils, breaking down their tough exteriors and getting at the real people beneath through requiring the students keep daily journals. Meanwhile, a strain is put on Erin's marriage as her student involvement gradually takes priority over her personal life. The intensity with which Erin relates to her work threatens her husband (Patrick Dempsey), who in seeing Erin's transformation, is reminded of his own stagnancy. Thanks to a catalogue of films including STAND AND DELIVER and DANGEROUS MINDS, any film about inspiring teachers risks feeling redundant and preachy. But writer/director Richard LaGravenese manages to put a fresh spin on this already familiar formula thanks to powerful performances by Hillary Swank, Imelda Staunton, and several newcomers. While slightly predictable, FREEDOM WRITERS critiques the public education system in an ultimately moving way.

Customer Reviews for "Freedom Writers (Widescreen) (HD-DVD)"

There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

Submit your Review

Explore More Great Tower Sales & Specials

Tower.com Sales, Promotions & Special Features

Tower.com Sales & Boutiques

Interact with Tower.com

ADVERTISEMENT