The First Grader is an average movie based upon an inspiring story rather than being an inspiring move, if that makes any sense. Kimani N’gan’ga Maruge (Oliver Litondo), is an 84-year-old Kenyan tribesman who takes advantage of the Kenyan government’s 2002 decree of free public education for all. This former Mau Mau freedom fighter who was tortured during the Kenyan war for independence, now wants to become literate but finds he has to face another battle of an entirely different kind to do so. At first head teacher, Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), is one of those resisting him but she gives in to the endearingly persistent old man and becomes his biggest supporter. Maruge then has to battle his way past other opposition including parents and school officials protesting the diversion of precious educational resources, not to mention the propriety of an octogenarian studying with little children.
In real life Maruge has become an international celebrity, and a poster boy for the power of education. In 2005, Maruge was asked to address the United Nations on the importance of free public education. Director Justin Chadwick filmed in Kenya, and did a great job in getting the best out of his actors, particularly Litondo who had virtually no experience before this. The children as Maruge’s fellow classmates are a real bright spot. Their facial expressions and natural behaviour in front of the camera is enthralling. Chadwick used flashbacks to details Maruge’s experiences as a resistance fighter and these scenes are heart-rending, especially his imprisonment and torture at the hands of the British. Maruge’s fight for his country’s independence is used to underline his fight for the right to be educated.
Sadly, this movie, while competent enough to be interesting and affecting, does not quite do justice to Maruge’s story. Poor character development and a stilted script restrict the entire enterprise. It just misses something, the x-factor needed to rise above being a better than average Hallmark type production. It is the opposite of meeting your favourite public personality and being disappointed to find out they seem so much smaller in real life. Maruge is bigger than he is shown here.
Three stars out of five. The First Grader has scenes containing obscenity, brief nudity and images of violence.