It reminds me of the problems our President faces being the first black man in his job!

Rating: 8/10 (22 April 2013)

'42': Four Stars (Out of Five)
This inspiring biographical baseball drama centers on Jackie Robinson (who's jersey number was 42) and the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers season when Robinson became the first black Major League baseball player since 1884. It also focuses on his relationship with team executive Branch Rickey, who signed Robinson to the team (making history). Chadwick Boseman (a mostly unknown TV actor ) stars as Robinson and Harrison Ford co-stars as Rickey. It's written and directed by Brian Helgeland (who also wrote and directed one of my favorite films 'PAYBACK' as well as wrote other hits like 'MYSTIC RIVER', 'MAN ON FIRE' and 'GREEN ZONE'). The film is a good old fashioned baseball drama that's both emotional and packed with exciting sports action. The strongest element of the film though is how it deals with racism.
The story begins in 1946 when Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to the minor league baseball team the Montreal Royals. Rickey makes Robinson promise that he'll control his temper and never let racist bigots get the better of him, which becomes the main component of the entire film. It then shifts to 1947 when Robinson plays for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It's here that Robinson faces his greatest challenge as he's opposed by almost everyone, including most of his teammates. Nevertheless Robinson triumphs and makes baseball history becoming Rookie of the Year (and later the Baseball Hall of Fame) and leading his team to the World Series.
Some say the film plays it a little too safe and family friendly but I was never bored. The baseball scenes are exciting and the emotional drama is always very moving. I think Helgeland does an excellent job brining the material to the big screen, thanks in large part to good performances by Boseman and especially Ford (who's almost unrecognizable in the role). The way the film tackles racism is it's greatest accomplishment though and shows it as something everyone can sympathize and or relate to. It reminds me of the problems our President faces being the first black man in his job (the world hasn't really changed all that much in that way).
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