Back to the school yard for Freedom Writers

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Cast: Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Imelda Staunton, April L. Hermandez

Cert: 15

We're back on the trail of a dedicated young teacher (Swank) fighting to turn her gangland students lives around.

It is only a partly successful exercise.

It's actually based on a true story about teacher Erin Grunwell who finally got her class of misfits to produce diaries that were published as the Freedom Writers (Diaries) of the title.

The weakness lies in the effort the film puts into making us feel good, without attempting to be in any way original.

Star Rating: 3/5