The idea of an inspiring teacher actually making a difference may seem cliche nowadays, but there's nothing cliche about Freedom Writers. The tale of a young teacher struggling with gangs, and inner city violence, and a system which has all but given up on the very students she was hired to help learn is, simply put, a great film. There were plenty of films I thought were excellent from last year but none which hit me on such an emotionally raw level as this. Don't miss it and don't dismiss it; Freedom Writers just might be the best film you see this year.