Oscar winner Swank miscast in teacher drama

AN uninspiring Hilary Swank plays high-school teacher Erin Gruewel who encourages disadvantaged kids to write their own stories in Freedom Writers (Paramount, €24.99).

The film is based on a true story and also stars Imedla Staunton, Scott Glenn and Patrick Dempsey, but the problem is double Oscar winner Swank who just doesn’t quite fit the bill.

There are many inspiring teacher films, but this isn’t one of them.

Director Richard LaGravenese and Swank provide a so-so audio commentary, there are some deleted scenes and a reasonable number of featurettes.

Drama

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