Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for The First Grader

The First Grader

Seen it?

2010 | 103 min | Drama, History, Romance

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office flop and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Best for anyone who likes knowing it really happened and anyone in the mood for a love story. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards. A good follow-up to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind or Coach Carter.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 60%

  • AwardsSolid

    17 wins and 10 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $1 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 29K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Justin Chadwick

  • Naomie HarrisJane Obinchu
  • Tony KgorogeCharles Obinchu
  • Nick RedingOfficer Johnson
  • Oliver LitondoKimani N'gan'ga Maruge
  • Alfred Munyua
  • Kamau MbayaKamau Chege