Jackie Robinson is considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all-time. But more than that, Robinson’s breaking of baseball’s color-barrier, becoming the first African-American to play in the major leagues, established him forever as a great American hero. The number 42 is synonymous with Robinson and his legacy. The movie “42” hit theaters at the start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season and was a home run at the box office. However, a World Series time release wouldn’t have been a bad idea either because this film is good enough for awards season attention.
Chadwick Boseman, a screenwriter and playwright, best known for small TV roles and a bit part in 2008’s “The Express”, stars as Robinson. “42” begins with a voice-over introduction by sportswriter Wendell Smith, who is also an African-American trying to make it in a white man’s profession (he and Robinson will develop an interesting relationship). The year is 1945: WWII has ended and all the baseball greats have returned home to resume their playing careers.
But the world is changing. Branch Rickey, President/General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers (played by a nearly unrecognizable Harrison Ford) wants to do something unheard of: sign a player from the Negro Leagues to play in the Dodgers organization. He carefully chooses Robinson, who immediately becomes the target of racial attacks from fans, opponents and even teammates. It’s this struggle – and eventual triumph – that’s the focus of “42”, a straight-forward, but highly effective, biopic.
Writer-Director Brian Helgehand doesn’t hold back in showing the abuse that Robinson was forced to endure. The N-word is used often, particularly in one tough scene to watch involving Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman screaming racial slurs at Robinson during a game in his rookie season of 1947. “42” may be “based on a true story”, but this scene feels all too real and provides some of the best dramatic moments of the movie. The film also includes some religious elements, mostly coming from Ford’s Rickey.
Most people, even non-baseball fans, know at least a little about the life and career of Jackie Robinson. What makes “42” work is just how simplistic, yet strong this treatment is. The script doesn’t rely on big, over-the-top scenes that force us to care. Instead, we are invested the entire way, thanks to the authentic feel and the performances.
This is a star-making vehicle for Boseman, convincing from the first time he appears on screen. He met with Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, to prepare for the role, along with watching hours of game footage of Robinson. Ford is also excellent as Rickey: a sarcastic and serious businessman (he delivers a couple of funny lines in that iconic, gruff voice), who is also Robinson’s protector and biggest supporter. I was slightly bothered by some of the other casting choices – many the supporting actors are familiar TV stars – “Law & Order: SVU”‘s Christopher Meloni, along with T.R. Knight, Alan Tudyk and John C. McGinley – which was distracting for me (maybe not for anybody else). And the score, at times, is way too dramatic for what’s happening on screen.
“42” is rated PG-13 for the harsh adult language and thematic elements. It’s appropriate for kids 12 and up. This is heart-felt celebration of the life of one of the most important figures in American history.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “42” gets a B+. Not a grand slam, but pretty darn close.