Formulaic and Frustratingly Tepid

Rating: 6/10 (18 November 2013)

The Conceit of the Movie starts with the Title. A Coy, Wink to Non-Baseball Fans who are not in the Know. It is an In-Your-Face Bio-Pic that is not what it Should or Could have been. A Schmaltzy Story of a Legend and Inspiration.
The Sports Movie always Suffers, or most of the Time, when it shows The Show. The On Field Talent and Nuances of the Game Rarely seem Real except for the Non-Sports Fans. So there is Very Little of that here, by Design, because this a Story about Racism in our Culture as Tested by the National Pastime.
It Moves along with an Unrelinquished Urgency as it is Paced like a Home Run Trot. Hardly ever Engaging to the Degree its Subject Matter Deserves, the Whole Thing is Stagy, Clichéd, and Ironically Never Quite Quintessential. Its Poignancy is Muted and is Formulaic and Frustratingly Tepid.
There are a Few Great Scenes. The At Bat Badgering from the Phillies Manager that is the "all they can stand" Reversal of the Previously Hateful or at the Least Indifferent Team Mates. The Father Fan who Teaches His Son Racism is Heartbreaking and the Sure to Bring a Tear, Pee Wee Reese Display of Affection and Respect.
Its a Black and White Screenplay in more ways than One. Nothing Profound, Clever, or New. But its an Easy Sell. As a Lecture it is Inspirational, as was Jackie Robinson. One can only Imagine the Intestinal Fortitude it took to Perform at such a High Level of Professionalism both On and Off the Field.