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The First Grader

The First Grader

2010
Drama, Biography
1h 43m
The true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford. (imdb)
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The First Grader

2010
Drama, Biography
1h 43m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 51.53% from 85 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(85)
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Rated 13 Feb 2011
60
50th
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.
Rated 15 Feb 2011
82
33rd
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.
Rated 03 Jun 2011
25
30th
"The weakness of the film is in its blandness of character and obviousness of storytelling: it's all kept storybook simple."
Rated 13 Jun 2011
5
0th
It's so rare to see a film with such a great subject that the flaws of The First Grader are totally forgivable.
Rated 11 Aug 2011
10
9th
"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

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