Making the Grade

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Making the Grade

2017

1h 25m

Documentary

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9 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

The musical educational system in Ireland is explored, where over 30,000 students prepare for graded piano exams each year.

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Harry Windsor

The Hollywood Reporter

A gently amusing mosaic.

Apr 30, 2018

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Reserves a nice spot alongside tre et Avoir and Monsieur Lazhar as one the great, affecting films about teaching.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 12, 2018

Full Review

Graeme Tuckett

Stuff.co.nz

Making The Grade is a little gem.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 17, 2019

Full Review

Síomha McQuinn

Film Ireland Magazine

It may be difficult to refrain from tickling the ivories yourself upon leaving the screen.

May 25, 2018

Full Review

Katy Hayes

Sunday Times (UK)

The vision of the world expressed here is warm and lovely, full of irrepressible positivity. While all negativity is excluded from Wardrop's vision, life's darkness hovers outside the artfully constructed frame.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 30, 2018

Full Review

Roe McDermott

Hot Press

Making The Grade is an undeniably pleasant overture, but slightly flat, and in need of a crescendo.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2018

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Audience Member

Set in Ireland, this is a quiet documentary, filled with low-key humor, centering on aspiring piano players and their teachers who are attempting to pass musical exams from Grades 1 to 8. This was confusing to me, at first, since living in the United States grades 1 thru 8 are for advancing school children and have virtually nothing to do with musical skills. However, we see that in the film persons of all ages and backgrounds can attempt to pass these musical exams and subsequently go on to the next level if they choose to do so. The power of the movie is listening to the individual stories and motivations of the myriad of players, however brief they are, as well as to their dedicated piano teachers. The range of personalities is enormous, from the woman who openly states that she knows she'll never be very good but wants to try, to the young incredibly talented child prodigy, to the woman who returned to the piano after 35 years when her son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Overall, don't expect any dramatic fireworks in this doc, directed by Ken Wardrop, but for those viewers who have the patience to enjoy interesting human stories there are rewards here.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Ken Wardrop

Director

Ken Wardrop

Writer

Andrew Freedman

Producer

Ken Wardrop

Cinematographer

John O'Connor

Film Editing

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Synopsis

The musical educational system in Ireland is explored, where over 30,000 students prepare for graded piano exams each year.

Director: Ken Wardrop
Producer: Andrew Freedman
Screenwriter: Ken Wardrop
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2018
Runtime: 1h 25m

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