SummaryIn 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 lat... Read More
Directed By:Justin Chadwick
Written By:Ann Peacock
The First Grader
Metascore
Mixed or Average
56
User score
Generally Favorable
7.3
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
56
43% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
52% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
5% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
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.
May 9, 2011
80
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.
May 13, 2011
60
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.
May 19, 2011
50
You marvel all the more at Litondo's and Harris's performances, considering how much claptrap Ann Peacock's script requires them to put up with.
May 12, 2011
50
This ambition - to provoke thought while tugging at heartstrings - makes The First Grader fascinating and frustrating in almost equal measure.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.3
80% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
10% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
10% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Aug 18, 2014
10
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
Jun 23, 2011
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!!!
Production Company:
- BBC Film
- UK Film Council
- Videovision Entertainment
- Lipsync Productions
- ARTE
- Sixth Sense Productions
- Origin Pictures
- Big Boy Films
Release Date:May 13, 2011
Duration:2 h
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:It's never too late to dream.
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 1 Win & 7 Nominations
Sedona International Film Festival
• 4 Wins & 4 Nominations
Black Reel Awards
• 4 Nominations
