(:)(:)(:) out of a possible 5 snouts up for Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank and directed by Richard LaGravanese playing in movie theaters everywhere now.
This is one of those films that is driven entirely by narrative–a great story to tell. It’s well-acted and reasonably well-written. Beyond that, it has little to offer as a movie. It’s predictable as hell. It seems to have had the budget of an ABC after school special (although Hilary Swank executive produced or I’m guessing it wouldn’t have gotten made, and it obviously had a decent promotional budget).
Nonetheless, I am such a sucker for the spunky dedicated school teacher who takes a bunch of ne’er do well kids and inspires them story. And this story, being true, and being told in a way that genuinely makes you truly care about these kids, is really worth seeing.
I cried…several times…something I rarely do in movies (but often in weddings).