Richard LaGravenese's film, based on the book by Erin Gruwell herself, is a moving example of how one person can make a difference, and for all the right reasons, all contained within the inspirational classroom drama genre. Hilary Swank is terrific as Gruwell, whose marriage broke up partly as a result of her endless hours spent with the kids, even after hours. She starts as a naïve newcomer whose ideals are her strength; but they are not merely ideals to talk about, but to act on. She ruffles the feathers of her colleagues, confronts her class with their ignorance and is herself confronted by their violent, depressing reality. Their grungy appearance contrasts with Erin's classy clothes and pearls, yet her prospects of success here seem as dim theirs.
The encounter changes them all, and the film is the story of how that change occurs, what pain it brings and what it achieves. The real story is even bigger, longer and complex, but the film does it justice, even thoug it is flawed; there isn't much sense of the time span, other than a caption to indicate a new semester, and some of the early scenes are unclear. Perhaps inevitably due to compression, the resolution seems a bit too pat. But the performances are superb, notably all the kids in the class, whose lives appear hopelessly pre-determined, destined for waste. However, its a dissapointment to include seducement and nudity in educational kind of movies.since parents like to watch thos type of movies with their kids.
The film tugs at our hearts with its sincerity while the uplifting moments are hard earned by a difficult journey. It's a life lesson and an insight into then human condition, showing both its darkest and brightest sides.
The encounter changes them all, and the film is the story of how that change occurs, what pain it brings and what it achieves. The real story is even bigger, longer and complex, but the film does it justice, even thoug it is flawed; there isn't much sense of the time span, other than a caption to indicate a new semester, and some of the early scenes are unclear. Perhaps inevitably due to compression, the resolution seems a bit too pat. But the performances are superb, notably all the kids in the class, whose lives appear hopelessly pre-determined, destined for waste. However, its a dissapointment to include seducement and nudity in educational kind of movies.since parents like to watch thos type of movies with their kids.
The film tugs at our hearts with its sincerity while the uplifting moments are hard earned by a difficult journey. It's a life lesson and an insight into then human condition, showing both its darkest and brightest sides.
