The First Grader (2010)

58% of critics liked it
(71 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(1,965 ratings)

In a small, remote mountain top 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 new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an old Mau… More In a small, remote mountain top 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 new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, 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 of an education so long denied - even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don't want to waste a precious school place on such an old man. -- (C) Official Site

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Justin Chadwick
Written By: Ann Peacock
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: May 13, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Dec 27, 2011
Studio: National Geographic Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Tom Long, Detroit News
The First Grader is every bit as inspiring and heart-warming as you'd expect.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The story is uplifting in a predictably pro-education, antiwar, feel-good way, warmth and humor balancing the heavy moments.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
This "inspired by a true" story hits many of the expected importance-of- education grace notes, but never quite reaches the lump-in-your-throat reaction that was plainly its aim.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Stow your cynicism and give this lesson in continuing education the response it deserves -- more than a polite clap, maybe even a sitting ovation.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
It's a middle-of-the-road film.
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe
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.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
achieves a poignant, humanist sincerity
Simon Miraudo, Quickflix
The First Grader is a self-congratulatory and subtlety-free slog that makes saints of its protagonists, devils out of its antagonists and narcoleptics out of its audience.
Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
With the melodrama cranked up as high as it is, it's hard to believe this was a true story.
Simon Weaving, Screenwize
An uplifting, romanticised and gently-paced film infused with the dry beauty of the Kenyan landscape and powered by the moist-eyed performance of Oliver Litondo in the title role
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
Based on real events, The First Grader is a unique blend of uplifting self determination and harrowing conflict
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Learning never ends is the message of this inspiring true story set in Kenya in which an 84 year old villager joins local primary students in a bid to learn how to read. It's a great story
Don Groves, sbs.com.au
A pass mark, just, for preachy African melodrama.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Director Justin Chadwick's film is sort of corny, not surprisingly, but it is inspiring and full of real feeling at times.
Jason Solomons, Observer [UK]
Wholesome and uplifting in the classic carpe diem manner and Harris is a lot more attractive than Robin Williams.
Jason Best, Movie Talk
Even if the story runs on predictable lines, it remains hugely affecting.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
Seems to go on for ever and manipulates its audience in the most naïve of ways.
Antonia Quirke, Financial Times
A predictable but inspiring story of an 84-year-old, one-time Mau Mau warrior, who insists on an education at a Kenyan primary school.
Graham Young, Birmingham Mail
While too many young people take education for granted in this country, The First Grader illustrates the need for older folks to be educated, too.
Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]
Ann Peacock's didactic screenplay may be based on a true story, but it's hopelessly unconvincing in the way it manufactures and resolves conflicts.

Read all 23 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jens S

This true story of an 84 year old Kenyan man who, against all opposition, wants to make use of the new law of free education for first graders, is a perfect feel good movie. While the flashbacks into his past that by and by reveal his eventful back story and explain the motivation for… More
This true story of an 84 year old Kenyan man who, against all opposition, wants to make use of the new law of free education for first graders, is a perfect feel good movie. While the flashbacks into his past that by and by reveal his eventful back story and explain the motivation for his wish to learn reading also give a glimpse into the violent history of the country, this is not a political film. It is a story about the importance of education, dealing with your past and standing up for yourself. The performances are top notch and heart warming, especially the leading man Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris as teacher are adorable. While the film does not avoid all stereotypes that come with such stories it is still enthralling, touching, beautifully filmed and very entertaining. The best stories are still those where bad things happen to good people but in the end everyone gets what they deserve.
Matthew S

The main (true) story here is not that a Kenyan octogenarian goes back to first grade, but the horrible hell he and his countrymen went through fighting off the British colonialist in the 1950s. This should be rated R because that hell is presented in a horrifying way. To those that… More
The main (true) story here is not that a Kenyan octogenarian goes back to first grade, but the horrible hell he and his countrymen went through fighting off the British colonialist in the 1950s. This should be rated R because that hell is presented in a horrifying way. To those that say violence in movies make you numb: I love Kill Bill, I've seen it probably 7 times, and this movie disturbed me to a point where I wanted to walk out. But I'm glad I didn't.
Raymond W

From the director of The Other Boleyn Girl comes a completely different story; one about perseverance and fighting for what is right. After just studying the Mau Mau of Kenya and their struggles against the British in the 1960's for a school project, it's devastating to see… More
From the director of The Other Boleyn Girl comes a completely different story; one about perseverance and fighting for what is right. After just studying the Mau Mau of Kenya and their struggles against the British in the 1960's for a school project, it's devastating to see it on the big screen. The flashbacks are vivid, violent and disturbing, but the rest of the story is extremely heart-warming and inspiring. Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris are absolutely superb in their roles. Harris is so different here from her role in Pirates of the Caribbean as Tia Dalma. I would highly recommend this film because it conveys some very important messages, it is beautiful, extremely up-lifting and well-done.

Cast

            Oliver Litondo as Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge

            Naomie Harris as Jane Obinchu

            Emily Njoki as Young Maruge's Wife

            Hannah Wacera as Maruge's Daughter

            John Kimani as Maruge's Baby Son

            Lwanda Jawar as Young Maruge

            Daniel Ndambuki as DJ Masha

            Macharia Kamau as DJ's PA

            Abubakar Mwenda as Boie

            Tom Gitau as Old Codger

            Watson Mbirua as Old Codger

            Shadrack Murimi Gachuhi as Old Codger

            Mwenga Matilika as Old Codger

            Agnes Simaloi as Agnes

            Alfred Munyua as Teacher Alfred

            Shoki Mokgapa as Teacher Elizabeth

            Kathyline Ndogori as Teacher Katherine

            Israel Makoe as David Chege

            Kamau Mbaya as Kamau Chege

            Shirlen Wangari as Mother Wanjiku

            Benta Ochieng as Mother Benta

            Peter Emera Pious as Jonas

            Joel Rempesa as Joel

            Peter Marias as Peter

            Eunice Tekero as Village Woman

            Jackie Musimbi as Village Girl

            Susan Sisian as Young Mother

            Tony Kgoroge as Charles Obinchu

            Kurenda ole Kureya as Maasai Store Owner

            Nick Redding as Officer Johnson

            Nick Ndichu as Mau Mau Oath Giver

            Paul Mbogo as Mau Mau Leader

            Zingaro Percussions as Mau Mau Warriors

            Jeannette Elsworth as Plantation Owner's Wife

            Kamau Wa Ndung'u as John Gambe

            Vusumuzi Michael Kunene as Mr. Kipruto

            Mary Mbirua as Stall Owner

            Catherine Njiru as Stall Owner

            Mumbi Kaigwa as Education Secretary

            Charles Ouda as Adult School Teacher

            Rachel Jones as BBC Journalist

            Lydia Gitachu as CNN Journalist

            Sam Feuer as American Journalist

            Gilbert Lukhalia as Mr. Mutahi/Politician

            Melvin Alusa as Mr. Mutahi's Aide

            Irene Kariuki as Mrs. Muthumba

            Rosemary Nyambura as Jacquie (P.A. to the Chairman)

            Ainea Ojiambo as Education Official

            Michael Oyier as Newsreader

            Nick Reding
            
See full cast