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The First Step

Play trailer Poster for The First Step 2023,  1h 30m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 87% 15 Reviews Tomatometer 83% Fewer than 50 Ratings Popcornmeter
87% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In a divided America, progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones controversially works across party lines on landmark criminal justice reform and a more humane response to the addiction crisis. Attempting to be a bridge builder in a time of extreme polarization takes Van and a coalition of unlikely allies deep into the inner workings of a divisive administration, internal debates within both parties, and the lives of frontline activists fighting for their communities.

Critics Reviews

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Natalia Winkelman New York Times Feb 16, 2023
The film’s analysis may be limited, but... personal moments lend it a compelling human quality. Go to Full Review
Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association Jun 25, 2021
1.5/4
This is 50% investigative doc, 50% self-serving promo reel. Go to Full Review
Lisa Kennedy Variety Jun 15, 2021
"The First Step," while illuminating and intimate, is also self-promoting. Too often, the documentary feels like a vanity project or a Van Jones explainer. Go to Full Review
Valerie Kalfrin AWFJ.org Feb 13, 2023
The documentary serves as a primer on influential lobbyist Van Jones and a reiteration of his commitment to social justice, countering those in the film who call him a liar, an “Uncle Tom,” and worse. Go to Full Review
Cory Woodroof The Playlist Feb 10, 2022
B
How you feel about The First Step could ultimately come down to how much the documentary is able to sway you to Jones' cause. Go to Full Review
Dan Scully Phindie Nov 20, 2021
The film allows breathing room for every opinion, showing that Jones' detractors are acting from an honorable and logical place. Go to Full Review
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The First Step

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Brandon Kramer

Director

Van Jones

Self

Donald Trump

Self

Kim Kardashian

Self

Kamala Harris

Self

Bernie Sanders

Self

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The First Step

The First Step (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In a divided America, progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones controversially works across party lines on landmark criminal justice reform and a more humane response to the addiction crisis. Attempting to be a bridge builder in a time of extreme polarization takes Van and a coalition of unlikely allies deep into the inner workings of a divisive administration, internal debates within both parties, and the lives of frontline activists fighting for their communities.
Director
Brandon Kramer
Producer
Lance Kramer
Distributor
Meridian Hill Pictures
Production Co
Artemis Rising Foundation, Meridian Hill Pictures, Kartemquin Films, Fork Films, Magic Labs Media, Big Mouth Productions, Hidden Empire Film Group
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 17, 2023, Limited
Runtime
1h 30m
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