The First Grader
The First Grader Image
See the trailer
Metascore
56 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: In a small, remote, mountaintop primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his 80s, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance at the education so long denied—even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-old children. (Nat Geo Movies)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    May 26, 2011
    88
    I have never seen elementary schoolers more passionate about education than the ones I met at a school in rural Kenya, not far from the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
    May 13, 2011
    80
    Anchored by a lovely performance from Oliver Litondo as Maruge and an exuberant Naomie Harris as Jane Obinchu, the school principal who champions his cause, the result is a tearful, joyful, imperfect, yet nearly irresistible ode to the human spirit.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Freer
    Jun 20, 2011
    60
    An amazing tru-life story that's Hollywoodised within an inch of its life. A missed opportunity for something really special.
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    May 19, 2011
    38
    It's heartwarming. But the film never really takes fire.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Rafiki
    10
    It was so refreshing to see this movie! It kept me wondering what would happen next and I so enjoyed the true story that was told! I am only sad that the film marketing has been so poor and also so disgusted with the big critic reviews who gave mixed reviews! It was so nice to see a movie without the Hollywood trappings for glitz and shock that cheapens so much of what is out there! I would love more movies that challenge you to care more and make a difference in this world!!!… Expand

Trailers

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    Metascore: 72
  2. Iron Man 3
    Metascore: 62
  3. 42
    Metascore: 62
  4. Fast & Furious 6
    Metascore: 61
  5. Evil Dead (2013)
    Metascore: 57
  6. The Great Gatsby
    Metascore: 54
  7. Oblivion
    Metascore: 54
  8. Pain & Gain
    Metascore: 43
  9. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    Metascore: 41
  10. The Host
    Metascore: 35
  11. The Hangover Part III
    Metascore: 31
  12. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    Metascore: 27
  13. Scary Movie 5
    Metascore: 11
All Current Movies »