Director: Richard LaGravenese, 2007
It is Erin Gruwell's first day as an English high school teacher. Her new school integrates students from housing projects. These students come from violent neighborhoods and all have seen friends and family killed in gang wars. These young people are full of anger and hatred and don't see why they have to be in school at all.
Erin finds it almost impossible to get through to these teenagers. Conventional teaching methods are not working. She didn't realize that the racial wars were carried over inside the classroom. Erin has to get to know her students personally, so she advises them to write every day in their journals.
As the teens start cooperating, Erin goes all out. She brings them on educational excursions, buys them good books, and introduce songs and dances to complement their studies. The students come to love their English class because the walls of distrust and prejudice are breaking down. "Mrs. G" is their guiding light and the class is now their "home."
But Erin is resented for her devotion to her work. Other school official think she's overstepping her boundaries. Erin's husband feels left out of the marriage and wants to leave. What else will Erin sacrifice to have a fulfilling life?
Hilary Swank takes a role of the real Erin. As a strongly-jawed woman, she fits the bill. More interestingly, the unknown young actors and actresses give strong and believable performances. The film tries to wrap all the characters in a bow, so that you come away with a satisfied glow in your heart. Thumbs up for this enlightening movie. -F
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