42 - Movie Review

          42, which was one of the last movies reviewed by Roger Ebert before his recent death, is the inspirational sports film starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford as Dodgers executive Branch Rickey. Nicole Beharie plays Jackie’s wife, Rachel.

          Jackie Robinson has been called one of the most important American pioneers of the 20th century and “42” is important for that reason alone. Playing baseball, or any professional sport, is tough enough without it being about the first black man to be in that position. In my opinion, this film does an excellent job of putting the viewer into Jackie’s shoes to experience what that must have felt like. The jeers and name calling not only from the stands but, at first, from within his own team was uncomfortable to watch. Prejudice is always hard to watch. The “N” obviously shows up a lot, so be warned if it bothers you even in this logical context.

          The year is 1947. The theory of why Rickey chose that black man at that time in history to be brought into the all-white professional sport of baseball was a recurring question throughout the film. While there was no definitive answer, Rickey did say that he loved the game of baseball and had always felt there was something unfair at the heart of this game that he loved, which was the lack of other players of different races who were just as qualified and could do as much if not more to help the team. Jackie Robinson opened the door to men of color being welcomed into the pro sport.

          Because I wasn’t a witness to the true greatness of Jackie Robinson, I can’t say if this film does him and his career breakthroughs justice. I saw a recent interview with Robinson’s widow, Rachel, now in her 90’s and I could match up the way she seems now with the way she was portrayed in the film. I’m hoping the rest of the characters were as well matched.

          Speaking of all these characters, names like Jackie’s, or Red Barber, the Dodgers announcer, or Durocher, the manager suspended for a year for having an affair, are all just names to me. I didn’t know of them in the news or on TV or even the radio, but the importance of them in sports history is well depicted in “42.”

          I’m so pleased to see a film about a sport personality who was a hero regardless of the amount of money he had, who he was married to or what kind of car he drove. While I didn’t know of Jackie Robinson as being the great player we learn he was, the movie is good enough to both entertain and educate, a homerun in my book.

          Oh, and just a funny aside:  I got shushed during the movie by some people behind us. I’ll tell you, it sure can make a 65 year old senior feel like a shameful kid pretty darn quick!

Four out of possible five ticket stubs
 

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