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Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes
A.O. Scott, New York Times: Fascinating and frustrating in almost equal measure. Read more
Eric Hynes, Time Out: A lot of history gets horned into this undeniably inspirational parable, though slick execution and simplistic storytelling make it a lesson suitable only for easily impressed elementary-school students. Read more
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: The filmmaking is ... uneven, filled with charming picture-postcard scenes of smiling children and African sunshine that seem crafted for a different film than one with moments of horrific flashbacks. Read more
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: Strong performances and a stripped-down visual aesthetic help mitigate some of the movie's potential mawkishness. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
Tom Long, Detroit News: The First Grader is every bit as inspiring and heart-warming as you'd expect. Read more
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: The First Grader plays more like a teaching tool than a dynamic drama. Read more
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter: Although the arc of the story might be familiar, the setting and characters are fresh. Read more
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: A tearful, joyful, imperfect, yet nearly irresistible ode to the human spirit. Read more
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. Read more
V.A. Musetto, New York Post: Too bad the script is predictable at every turn. Read more
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. Read more
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. Read more
Dave Calhoun, Time Out: It's funny how 'real life' sometimes conforms so closely to hackneyed patterns of screenwriting. Read more
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: It's a middle-of-the-road film. Read more