Freedom Writers

The Freedom Writers is a drama film, based on a true story that took place in the 1990s. It's about a teacher who takes a job at a high school in Long Beach, California that is facing many issues with racism, discrimination and gang violence. The teacher (Erin Gruwell) is able to successfully unite the students, inspire them to succeed in their academics, and create a positive learning environment for all of them.

The movie certainly did pass the Bechdel Test. I've seen the movie many times before needing to watch it for this project. Thinking about only the plot of the movie, it seems to me that one could assume that this movie would pass the Bechdel test before watching it. Before examining the movie, I expected it to pass without a problem.
There were a variety of women characters, such as the teacher, Erin Gruwell, a higher up (coworker) and a number of her students. While they do talk to each other, they talk about a variety of things that don't concern men. Subjects pertaining to well being, lesson plans, and a variety of other topics are covered. One of the main student characters Eva had a great and involved role, who discussed many things revolving around the plot of the story and gang violence during that time. She was the narrator of the story and was the character that most involved the audience.

I'm not sure if the film could necessarily be looked at as a feminist film. I believe that there are different ways that it could be looked at. But the way that it could be viewed as feminist would revolve around how Erin Gruwell took matters into her own hands and overcame many obstacles, including spiteful and uncooperative coworkers and higher ups and her husband divorcing her. She was still able to keep her goal in mind and achieve it despite all of the things she had going against her.