excellent nostalgia, good baseball, good story

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2013)

This Warner Brothers production, written and produced by Brian Hedgeland, recounts well the story of the first black man in pro baseball, who entered it in 1946. For those who remember the names of not only Jackie Robinson, but also Pee Wee Reese and Leo Durocher, (and as a boy who grew up in the 50's and 60's I remember those names well) then the movie might provide some enjoyment and meaning. Since most of the movie was filmed in Chattanooga and Alabama, the Deep South was pictured well. It is an inspiring story about a man who underwent a lot of mistreatment, not only from southern bigots but from some of Robinson's teammates as well. Chadwick Boseman assumed this role well, as did Nicole Beharie as his wife Rachel. Harrison Ford fell very well into the role of Branch Rickey. Christopher Meloni depicted Leo Durocher well, hot-headed all the way through this cinematic work. (Was there ever a time when the real Leo Durocher was not hot-headed?) As for Alan Tydyk, in the role he played as the very mean, bigoted Ben Chapman, he was very convincing. Again, the South of the 40's and 50's was depicted well, as were the bigots in the South then, and there were exciting parts of baseball games in the movie. Last but not least, it is a warm story of a man who defied all odds against him and kept going.