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Oliver Litondo, Naomie Harris, Emily Njoki, Hannah Wacera, John Kimani ... see more see more... , Lwanda Jawar , Daniel Ndambuki , Macharia Kamau , Abubakar Mwenda , Tom Gitau , Watson Mbirua , Shadrack Murimi Gachuhi , Mwenga Matilika , Agnes Simaloi , Alfred Munyua , Shoki Mokgapa , Kathyline Ndogori , Israel Makoe , Kamau Mbaya , Shirlen Wangari , Benta Ochieng , Peter Emera Pious , Joel Rempesa , Peter Marias , Eunice Tekero , Jackie Musimbi , Susan Sisian , Tony Kgoroge , Kurenda ole Kureya , Nick Redding , Nick Ndichu , Paul Mbogo , Zingaro Percussions , Jeannette Elsworth , Kamau Wa Ndung'u , Vusumuzi Michael Kunene , Mary Mbirua , Catherine Njiru , Mumbi Kaigwa , Charles Ouda , Rachel Jones , Lydia Gitachu , Sam Feuer , Gilbert Lukhalia , Melvin Alusa , Irene Kariuki , Rosemary Nyambura , Ainea Ojiambo , Michael Oyier , Nick Reding

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 caus... read more read more...es 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

Flixster Users

75% liked it

1,965 ratings

Critics

58% liked it

71 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Justin Chadwick

Release Date: May 13, 2011

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DVD Release Date: December 27, 2011

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Stats: 103 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (103)

  • ironclad1609
    September 29, 2011
    ironclad1609
    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 motivatio... read moren 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.
  • fb1672039553
    June 25, 2011
    fb1672039553
    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 t... read morehat 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.
  • fb701560354
    June 22, 2011
    fb701560354
    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 o... read moren 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.
  • ThomasJayWilliams
    November 23, 2011
    ThomasJayWilliams
    It is most unfortunate that a mediocre director (Justin Chadwick - The Other Boleyn Girl) can turn even the most remarkable, amazing, heartwarming and inspiring story into a rather unremarkable and forgettable film. Based on a true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and for... read moremer Mau Mau freedom fighter -- Maruge (played by actor, Oliver Litondo, who's returning to screen after a 20 year absence) -- who gained international attention when he knocked on the front door of a newly created elementary school to apply to be a first year student in hopes of learning how to read after the newly established Kenyan government had promised a "free education to all" prospective students. Turned down because of his age, Maruge did not give up and persisted in jumping through many hoops doing everything that would deem him eligible for an education. Luckily for Maruge, a young First Grade teacher, Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris - 28 Days Later, Miami Vice, Pirates of the Caribbean 3 & 4), takes him as an additional student in her already over-crowded classroom. A novelty to the other students (who accept him as an equal), Maruge proves to be a determined student who won't give up even as countless forces (government workers, fellow teachers, disgruntled and uncomfortable parents, his health and troubled/sad past) work against him achieving his dream. There is little doubt Maruge's true story will bring about genuine awe to almost every human being with a heart (he honestly yearns for the ability to read a letter he had been sent by the government); but the film itself is standard and other than Maruge nothing special. Throughout The First Grader the audience learns of how remarkable this man is (he fought for Kenya's freedom and because of that his wife and children were brutally gunned-down before his very eyes by British soldiers) and it is too bad the film as a whole lets him down as it also becomes a story about Miss Jane who's job is jeopardized because of her kind and gentle and just heart. Without doubt, Maruge's story deserves an A; but the movie is a C. The director is unremarkable and perhaps he could learn something from his subject matter and go back to school.

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Critic Reviews

Tom Long
May 27, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

The First Grader is every bit as inspiring and heart-warming as you'd expect. Full Review

Colin Covert
May 26, 2011
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. Full Review

Roger Moore
May 24, 2011
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. Full Review

Rick Groen
May 20, 2011
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. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
May 20, 2011
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

It's a middle-of-the-road film. Full Review

Mark Feeney
May 19, 2011
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. Full Review

Christy Lemire
May 18, 2011
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

Strong performances and a stripped-down visual aesthetic help mitigate some of the movie's potential mawkishness. Full Review

Peter Rainer
May 13, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

Director Justin Chadwick filmed in Kenya, and his imagery, as well as the faces of the schoolchildren, and of Litondo, all of them nonactors, is far more expressive than the formulaic script. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
May 13, 2011
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Too bad the script is predictable at every turn. Full Review

Joe Neumaier
May 13, 2011
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

Chadwick shows admirable restraint bringing this true story to the screen, and Litando does much with glimmers of emotion and wells of dignity. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge: Learn till the soil gets in your ears.
    • Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge: We have to learn from our past because we must not forget, and because we must be better.
    • Jane Obinchu: Class we have a new student today!
    • Jane Obinchu: Why does someone as old as you want to go to school?
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