The First Grader

Name: The First Grader
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: May 13, 2011
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 56

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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THE FIRST GRADER

Movie Details & Credits

National Geographic Entertainment | Release Date: May 13, 2011

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 atIn 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

Director: Justin Chadwick

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 120 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Charlotte Observer - Lawrence Toppman

May 26, 2011

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. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Stephen Farber

May 9, 2011

Chadwick strikes a perfect balance between humor and tragic gravity, and the result is that an unknown story seems certain to stir the hearts of audiences worldwide. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Rick Groen

May 20, 2011

This is potentially compelling, but truncated flashbacks are far too crude a mechanism for exploring not only the intricacies of that tumultuous period in Kenyan history but also its ongoing legacy. Read full review

New York Daily News - Joe Neumaier

May 13, 2011

Director Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") shows admirable restraint bringing this true story to the screen, and Litando does much with glimmers of emotion and wells of dignity. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Kimberley Jones

May 26, 2011

We have pretty much all the information we need within the first half-hour, which undercuts the supposedly climactic reveal of the contents of Maruge's letter and renders the torturous flashbacks unnecessary for narrative purposes. And not a little bit sadomasochistic, too – an ill fit for a PG-13 family film. Read full review

Chicago Reader - J.R. Jones

May 19, 2011

The true story of Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge, an 84-year-old Kenyan who entered primary school in hope of learning to read, inspired this pleasant but routine exercise in third-world uplift. Read full review

Washington Post - Michael O'Sullivan

May 19, 2011

It's heartwarming. But the film never really takes fire. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rafiki

Jun 23, 2011

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 aIt 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

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Lovingthefirst

Aug 18, 2014

It States the truth in words we cant explain with our own voice so this movie helps us explain it, and the British are in trouble :P, also i think learning has no age

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