Overall score (out of 5): 5
Rated: PG-13 – gang violence, language, drug trafficking
Running time: 2hr2min
Genre: drama
Main premise: Based on a true story which took place in Long Beach, California. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), a first-time high school teacher arrives to the school to discover she had been given the cast-offs of the school district in her Freshmen English class. Some of them are on probation wearing ankle cuffs, some of them are fresh out of “juvey” and most of them take seven busses for 90 minutes each direction to get to school. The movie follows her effort to make a difference in the life of her students by getting to know them and understand their lives through their personal journal entries. A storyline that was peppered with believable life-changing drama and just the right blend of hopeful improvement without the presupposed sugar-coated, implausibly miraculous events.
Main Cast:
Hilary Swank …. Erin Gruwell
Patrick Dempsey …. Scott Casey
Scott Glenn …. Steve Gruwell
Imelda Staunton …. Margaret Campbell
April L. Hernandez …. Eva
Mario …. Andre
Kristin Herrera …. Gloria
Jacklyn Ngan …. Sindy
Sergio Montalvo …. Alejandro
Jason Finn …. Marcus
Deance Wyatt …. Jamal
Vanetta Smith …. Brandy
Gabriel Chavarria …. Tito
Hunter Parrish …. Ben
Antonio García …. Miguel
Overall score breakdown
Storyline and/or writing: 5
1 (amateur) – 5 (brilliant)
Comments (if any): Never having been a member of a gang, nor living in an area wherein teens battle every day of their life to simply make it to the next day, I was able to feel the terror and exhaustion that must permeate that world. Gruwell’s wide-eyed naiveté was just enough to absorb without being unbearably overdone. Her genuine attempts to “fit in” with her students and acknowledge their tastes, their likes and their styles were loveable, as well as honorable. Her character was formidable in that she believed in the best of everyone and accepted nothing less.
Dialogue: 5
1 (inane) – 5 (excellent)
Comments (if any): Believably written. Eloquently delivered by every character.
Cinematography: n/a
1 (irregular) – 5 (breathtaking)
Comments (if any): Seemingly nothing out of the ordinary.
Sets and/or location: 5
1 (common) – 5 (outstanding)
Comments (if any): Filmed on location.
Animation or Special Effects: n/a
1 (satisfactory) – 5 (amazing)
Comments (if any):
Graphicness: 5
1 (intolerable) – 5 (tolerable)
Comments (if any): No excessive blood or gore.
Soundtrack: 5
1 (average) – 5 (extraordinary)
Comments (if any): Incredible mix of old and new.
Cast and/or Acting: 5
1 (weak) – 5 (powerful)
Comments (if any): From beginning to end, each actor and actress – whether in lead or supporting – delivered a performance that was unforgettable.
I highly recommend this movie.
Click on the following link for the movie’s official website:
