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IMDbPro

The First Step

  • 20212021
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
70
YOUR RATING
Van Jones in The First Step (2021)
Documentary
In a divided America, Van Jones attempts to pass a landmark criminal justice bill - and finds himself under fire from all sides.In a divided America, Van Jones attempts to pass a landmark criminal justice bill - and finds himself under fire from all sides.In a divided America, Van Jones attempts to pass a landmark criminal justice bill - and finds himself under fire from all sides.
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
70
YOUR RATING
    • Brandon Kramer
    • Chris L Jenkins(story consultant)
  • Stars
    • Karen Bass
    • Cory Booker
    • Bonnie Watson Coleman
    • Brandon Kramer
    • Chris L Jenkins(story consultant)
  • Stars
    • Karen Bass
    • Cory Booker
    • Bonnie Watson Coleman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos

    The First Step (2021)
    Louis L. Reed and Van Jones in The First Step (2021)
    Van Jones in The First Step (2021)
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    Top cast

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    Karen Bass
    Karen Bass
    • Self - California Congresswoman
    • (as Rep. Karen Bass)
    Cory Booker
    Cory Booker
    • Self
    Bonnie Watson Coleman
    • Self
    Kellyanne Conway
    Kellyanne Conway
    • Self
    Douglas Copenhaver
    • Self
    Patrisse Cullors
    Patrisse Cullors
    • Self
    Fabian Debora
    • Self
    Rhonda Edmonds
    • Self
    Charlamagne Tha God
    Charlamagne Tha God
    • Self
    Kamala Harris
    Kamala Harris
    • Self
    Karen Hunter
    • Self
    Jessica Jackson
    • Self
    Tylo James
    • Self
    Van Jones
    Van Jones
    • Self
    Kim Kardashian
    Kim Kardashian
    • Self
    Jared Kushner
    Jared Kushner
    • Self
    Mike Lee
    Mike Lee
    • Self - Senate Judiciary Committee
    • (as Sen. Mike Lee)
    Shelley Moore Capito
    • Self
      • Brandon Kramer
      • Chris L Jenkins(story consultant)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews26

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Required viewing for these polarized times
    This is a beautiful, moving, insightful look at how the sausage really gets made in these polarized times. Van Jones is the central figure, but this not hagiography. The story is much larger, and the filmmakers' ambitions far greater than simply profiling an individual. They have their camera trained on the divisions that have come to characterize not just our politics but our very sense of self -- and also the resounding good that can come from transcending those divisions.

    The film is not at all didactic or bombastic. It's a gentle film, filled with empathy, humor, and, most crucially, optimism. With the remarkable access the filmmakers got to the White House, and particularly to Jared Kushner, they could have taken a mocking, flippant tone, but they do not -- Kushner, as much as Jones, is depicted by the film as a human being first, and at least in this instance, pushing for change that will deliver real help to thousands of Americans. The same open-hearted view of people and politics is on full display in the sequences showing Jones brings together black West coast activists and white West Virginian Trump supporters. Commonalities quickly override differences, friendships and mutual purpose form, and we get to see -- for once -- Red America and Blue America actually talk to each other.

    This film is, if not an antidote, at least a tonic for the daily tribal warfare that defines us. Do yourself a favor and watch it.
    helpful•0
    0
    • timothycsun
    • Dec 31, 2021

    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 10, 2021 (United States)
      • United States
      • France
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Meridian Hill Pictures
      • Artemis Rising Foundation
      • Big Mouth Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 30 minutes
      • Color

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