"Historical glimpses combine a dull lyricism with elliptical views of atrocity that have the dubious job of setting us up for the isn't-this-horrible kicker." - Andrew Schenker

I can see the appeal: where a lot of films with Africa as the subject are heavy and despairing, First Grader is decidedly straightforward and right-for-the heart with a positive message to play out. The real skill to be admired is director Chadwick's ability to put a convincing world in front of his cameras with an actual location in Kenya with a community of non-actors.

A quiet and charming drama which occasionally takes steps towards the thriller genre and also wants to expose parts of Kenya's gruesome history. The story is quite good and the acting is fine, yet there's something missing for it to be truly great. Also, if there's insufficient teachers/funds, is the POV which the film takes, that Maruke should receive education, even sound? I'm not sure.

It's so rare to see a film with such a great subject that the flaws of The First Grader are totally forgivable.

"The weakness of the film is in its blandness of character and obviousness of storytelling: it's all kept storybook simple."