It's a shame that writer Ann Peacock and director Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") have taken the story of 84-year-old Kenyan villager Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge's struggle for education, and turned it into a dishwater melodrama.
"The First Grader" sustains a soap-opera tone held together with barely any dramatic momentum. The production design is strictly television quality. The whole movie feels like a stock story pulled from some dusty shelf. Gifted actor Oliver Litondo gives a convincing portrayal as Maruge. The actor's best efforts are the only thing that makes the film watchable. Maruge is a surviving soldier of the Mau Mau rebellion that took place against Kenya's occupation by British imperialists during the 1950s.
In 2002, the Kenyan government opens
up free primary school education to all. However, all is not as advertised. Maruge takes the opportunity at face value and arrives at his local schoolhouse to learn alongside his child peers. Naomie Harris plays the school's committed teacher who takes up Maruge's side when local political powers attempt to prevent him from attending daily classes.
By all rights "The First Grader" should be an engaging and moving film. It isn't. It's impossible to watch it and not constantly wish that the story had been handled by more competent filmmakers.
Rated PG-13. 105 mins.
