“42”
By Diana Sanchez
“42” is more than just a baseball movie. It is a meaningful, intense story about how one of the greatest baseball players of all time, Jackie Robinson, created real change in the heart of major league baseball and in American hearts. I think that “42” is Harrison Ford’s best role. Ford plays the role of Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, whose idea it was to choose a player from the Negro league and offer him a spot on his team. Rickey goes against everyone’s opinions and butts heads with other team managers and executives across the league but his belief in Robinson’s potential never waivers. Rickey is a determined baseball executive who sprinkles humor in between his stubbornness to get what he wants.
Robinson, played by Chadwick Boseman, experiences tough opposition and resistance from players and coaches across the league and from players within his own team. All he wants to do is play baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers but it seems almost impossible in 1947 during a time of segregation and racism. Robinson is depicted as a man who plays with real heart and integrity. We get a glimpse into his personal life and see that he lives with as much integrity as he plays his game. I found myself sobbing unexpectedly at both happy and sad moments throughout the movie. The racial epithets and harsh comments aimed at Robinson were tough to watch and reminded me that the 40’s really was not that long ago. There are many great exchanges between Robinson and his wife and the confrontations between Robinson and other players and Rickey are equally moving
because the dialogue was just that good.
“42”is a special story that will touch the heart and inspire. The audience in my theatre applauded several times and I think younger viewers can learn a lot about what baseball, and America, was really like in the 40’s. If you aren’t a baseball fan going into the movie, you will be before it’s over. I can’t wait to see it again!
4.5 stars
