"I can imagine it is almost impossible not to respond to a young, idealistic woman who willingly forsakes a lucrative law career in order to salvage children from the junkyard of what is inner-city Los Angeles."
--Norman L. Keltner, EdD, APRN
Norman L. Keltner, EdD, APRN, published a review of Freedom Writers at the request of a friend who thoguht he should analyze the mental health issues present in the film. His review actually does not delve into such issues with any depth, however. Instead, he makes observations basically as a general moviegoer. Keltner is less than receptive to the film, noting the multitude of stereotyping and sentimentality present. Keltner is completely focused on the teacher, Gruwell, giving hardly a thought to the students. In fact, his primary criticism of the movie is Gruwell's abandonment of her husband in favor of her students. He states: "I could not get beyond the point that the teacher sacrificed her family on the altar of self fulfillment."
This response exemplifies one of the primary problems with Freedom Writers: the students are upstaged by other characters. Gruwell's marriage and her own journey are the focus at the detriment of other aspects.
This response exemplifies one of the primary problems with Freedom Writers: the students are upstaged by other characters. Gruwell's marriage and her own journey are the focus at the detriment of other aspects.