- IMDb page: 42 (2013)
- Rate: 7.8/10 total 4,043 votes
- Genre: Biography | Drama | Sport
- Release Date: 12 April 2013 (USA)
- Runtime: USA:128 min
- Filming Location: Rickwood Field - 1137 2nd Avenue W, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Gross: $34,095,716 (USA) (17 April 2013)
- Director: Brian Helgeland
- Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie | See full cast and crew
- Original Music By: Mark Isham (music by)
- Soundtrack: Move It On Over
- Sound Mix: Dolby Digital | Datasat | SDDS
- Plot Keyword: Brooklyn Dodgers | Athlete | Number As Title | African American | Baseball
Writing Credits By:
(in alphabetical order)
Brian Helgeland screenplay
Known Trivia
- Howard Baldwin and wife Karen developed this project after their hit Ray. They commented on how impossible it was to get an African-American bio pic made.
- The role of Branch Rickey was originally intended for Robert Redford.
- The Birmingham (Alabama) News reported that Birmingham's Rickwood Field, the oldest surviving professional baseball field in the US, was "playing" three different roles in this movie: it was doubling for Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, both of which no longer exist; and it was also "playing" itself, in a scene recreating the time in 1945 when Jackie Robinson played at Rickwood as a member of the Kansas City Monarchs.
- A Broadway musical about Jackie Robinson called 'The First,' with the book by longtime New York TV critic 'Joel Siegel' and music by composer Martin Charnin of 'Annie' fame, lasted only 37 performances on The Great White Way in Nov.-Dec., 1981. It starred then newcomer David Alan Grier as Jackie.
- Spike Lee had tried to make a film about the life of Jackie Robinson in 1995 with Denzel Washington as Robinson but the project never got off the ground.
- Pee Wee Reese's line about someday all Dodger players might be wearing the number 42 was actually said by Dodgers outfielder Gene Hermanski in 1951. But writer/director 'Brian Helgeland liked the quote so much, he had the famous shortstop Reese say it in the movie since he is a central character and Hermanski is not portrayed in the film.
- When calling the catch of a fly ball in the movie, broadcaster Red Barber can be heard saying "Back, back, back...", and in another play-by-play call is heard exclaiming "Oh, Doctor!" Contrary to popular belief, neither were regularly used expressions by Barber. Barber said the only time he used those lines in a broadcast was calling Al Gionfredo's dramatic, game-saving catch off of Joe DiMaggio in the 1947 World Series. Since recordings of that Barber call became so famous, everyone just assumed they were trademark calls of his.
- The second theatrical biopic of Jackie Robinson, the previous one being The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), in which Robinson starred as himself. Robinson was also the subject of the TV movie The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.
- Pittsburgh pitcher Fritz Ostermueller wears number 21 in the film, a number which later would be worn by Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, one of the first "Afro-Hispanic" superstars in baseball. Clemente had been drafted by the Pirates in 1954 (also by Branch Rickey ) and some have suggested that his number also should be retired from baseball just as Jackie Robinson's number 42 has been.
- In the movie, the "punishment' for not agreeing to play n the same team with Jackie Robinson was being "traded to Pittsburgh". Branch Rickey would ultimately leave the Dodgers in 1950 and become the GM in Pittsburgh in 1953. Dodgers player Bobby Bragan, who said he wanted to be traded but then asked not to be, ended up managing the Pirates in 1956.
Goofs: Factual errors: In the game at Ebbetts Field, where Enos Slaughter spiked Jackie Robinson, Red Barber says "the top of the 9th," however the game was in Brooklyn and the Dodgers would have been batting in the bottom of the inning. It was actually the bottom of the 11th inning according to other sources.
Plot: The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey. | »
Story: The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey.
Produced By:
Jason Clark known as executive producer
Dick Cook known as executive producer
Jon Jashni known as executive producer
Darryl Pryor known as co-producer
Jillian Share Zaks known as co-producer
Thomas Tull known as producer
FullCast & Crew:
- Chadwick Boseman known as Jackie Robinson
- Harrison Ford known as Branch Rickey
- Nicole Beharie known as Rachel Robinson
- Christopher Meloni known as Leo Durocher
- Ryan Merriman known as Dixie Walker
- Lucas Black known as Pee Wee Reese
- Andre Holland known as Wendell Smith
- Alan Tudyk known as Ben Chapman
- Hamish Linklater known as Ralph Branca
- T.R. Knight known as Harold Parrott
- John C. McGinley known as Red Barber
- Toby Huss known as Clyde Sukeforth
- Max Gail known as Burt Shotton
- Brad Beyer known as Kirby Higbe
- James Pickens Jr. known as Mr. Brock
- Gino Anthony Pesi known as Joe Garagiola
- Brett Cullen known as Clay Hopper
- Jesse Luken known as Eddie Stanky
- Jamey Holliday known as Pete Reiser
- Derek Phillips known as Bobby Bragan
- Jamie Ruehling known as Spider Jorgensen
- Blake Sanders known as Gene Hermanski
- Johnny Knight known as Carl Furillo
- Clint O'Brien known as Hugh Casey
- Dusan Brown known as Ed Charles
- Cherise Boothe known as Ed's Mother
- Friedel Pinkston known as Birmingham Catcher
- Linc Hand known as Fritz Ostermueller
- Thomas Helgeland known as Everett McCooey
- Matt Clark known as Luther
- Peter Mackenzie known as Happy Chandler
- Joe Inscoe known as Bob Cooke
- Monnae Michaell known as Mallie
- Karole Foreman known as Duff Harris
- C.J. Nitkowski known as Dutch Leonard
- Scott Callaway known as Andy Seminick
- Aaron Farb known as Phillie Two
- James Rackley known as Phillie One
- Anthony S. Goolsby known as Monarch Batter
- Lou Criscuolo known as Reporter One
- Ross Hughes known as Reporter Two
- Joe Knezevich known as Reporter Three
- Mark Harelik known as Herb Pennock
- Kenny Cook known as Fan One
- Rhoda Griffis known as Miss Bishop
- Daniel Fenlon known as Babe Hamburger
- Maury Covington known as Policeman
- Henry Friedman known as Freckles
- Jon Kohler known as Spectator Two
- Marc Gowan known as Doctor
- Jackson Walker known as Jimmy Powers
- Danny Vinson known as Eddie Dyer
- Ari Blinder known as Photographer
- William Flaman known as Cracker
- David Sweeney known as Fan Two
- Denise Moyé known as Older Woman
- Peter Jurasik known as Hotel Manager
- Dan Mengini known as Spectator One
- Michael H. Cole known as Another Reporter
- Janet Metzger known as Jane Ann
- Dax Griffin known as Racist City Island Fan
- Holden Hansen known as Freckle's Dad
- Jayson Warner Smith known as White Gas Station Attendant
- Jeremy Ray Taylor known as Boy (as Jeremy Taylor)
- Christopher Harvey known as Bus Driver
- Kelley Jakle known as Alice
- Jud Tylor known as Laraine Day
- Tobias Michael Finn known as Panamanian Kid
- Ercell A. Grimes Jr. known as Shouting Fan
- Dwight Houser known as City Island Umpire
- Barry Suttle known as Roosevelt Home Umpire
- Andrew W. Roberts known as Ball One Umpire
- Jimmie L. Coleman known as Negro League Umpire
- Steve Hicks known as Umpire One
- Wayne Hickey known as Umpire Two
- Andrew C. Mullins known as Umpire Three (as Andrew Mullins)
- Dennis A. Spears known as Umpire Four
- Gary Miller known as Umpire Five
- Todd Wilson known as Reporter Four
- David Thoms known as Enos Slaughter
- Richard Tavernaro known as Deland Umpire
- Hunter Clowdus known as Dodger Bat Boy
Barry Fowler known as Baseball Player
Brandon Kersey known as Baseball Player
Loren L. Baker known as Reporter (uncredited)
Jeremy Bales known as Phillies Bat Boy (uncredited)
Michael James Barrett IV known as Baseball Player (uncredited)
Chance Bartels known as Dodgers Fan (uncredited)
Melissa Bender known as Dodger Fan (uncredited)
Tyler Bilyeu known as Young Man in Train (uncredited)
Tyler Boswell known as Pete Center - Cleveland Indians Pitcher (uncredited)
Frank Brennan known as BWA Speaker (uncredited)
Valin Brenwen known as Dodger Player (uncredited)
Betsey Brindger known as Extra (uncredited)
Chuck Clark known as Cab Rider / Ballpark Usher (uncredited)
John Collier known as Fan (uncredited)
Greg Crews known as Garbage Man (uncredited)
Rob Crowe known as Brooklyn Dodger Fan (uncredited)
Jarrod Cuthrell known as Vendor (uncredited)
David Dillon known as Leader of Assault (uncredited)
Colman Domingo known as Lawson Bowman (uncredited)
Gerald Duckworth known as Montreal Royals Coach (uncredited)
Nicole Dukes known as Extra (uncredited)
Joan Farrell known as Lawson Bowman Patron (uncredited)
Drake Fenlon known as Dodgers Fan (uncredited)
Jackson Flowers known as Phillies Dugout Player (uncredited)
Daniel Gale known as Running Dodger #1 (uncredited)
Miranda-Lynn Gartin known as Montreal Fan (uncredited)
Benjamin C. Graham known as Dodgers Fan (uncredited)
Anthony B. Harris known as Street Pedestrian / Airport Passenger (uncredited)
James Harvley known as Outside Bar Patron (uncredited)
Walter Hendrix III known as Baseball Fan (uncredited)
Andrew R. Kaplan known as Reporter / Ebbets Heckler (uncredited)
Alexander Karim known as (uncredited)
Debi Kimsey known as Manicurist (uncredited)
Joe W. Lacey known as Fan (uncredited)
Jack Landry known as Printer (uncredited)
Marc-Henry Lazarre known as Spectator / Fan (uncredited)
Matthew Lyda known as Jackie Heckler (uncredited)
Juan Martel known as Monarch #25 (uncredited)
Todd Maynor known as Spectator (uncredited)
Eric Mendenhall known as Brooklyn Fan (uncredited)
Kurtis Montgomery known as Rex Barney - Brooklyn Dodger (uncredited)
Dave Moro known as Billy Herman (uncredited)
Cullen Moss known as Waiting Reporter (uncredited)
Michael L. Nesbitt known as Preacher (uncredited)
Kacie Jo Marta Nickles known as New York Shopper (uncredited)
Sean Nix known as Jake Pitler - Dodgers Coach (uncredited)
Emily Marie Palmer known as Girl with Branch Rickey (uncredited)
Neko Parham known as Deacon (uncredited)
Charles Parnell known as Herbert T. Miller (uncredited)
Amanda Pasierbowicz known as Baseball Fan (uncredited)
Jonathan Payton known as Rachel's Brother (uncredited)
Denise Pereira known as Secretary (uncredited)
Ron Prather known as Umpire Crosley (uncredited)
Dena Rivera known as Bowman Cafe Patron (uncredited)
Donterrius Ruff known as Monarch #27 (uncredited)
Andrew Rush known as Lee Handley (uncredited)
Henry G. Sanders known as Max (uncredited)
Harley Shellhammer known as Montreal Royals Player (uncredited)
Nathan Sikes known as Dodgers Fan (uncredited)
Ben Smith known as Boston Brave (uncredited)
David Stanbra known as Stan Musial (uncredited)
Curry Stone known as Guy in Train 2 / Game Observer (uncredited)
Ian Stylezz known as Jackie Robinson Fan (uncredited)
Michael Telfair known as Baggage Carrier (uncredited)
Jermaine Thomas known as Monarch #40 (uncredited)
Tony Vaughn known as Deacon (uncredited)
Jerrad Vunovich known as Bat Boy (uncredited)
Michael J. Walker known as Baseball Fan (uncredited)
Tim Ware known as Cook (uncredited)
Wayne Webb known as Waldorf Patron (uncredited)
Joseph Wesolowski known as Spectator (uncredited)
Marvin West known as Fan (uncredited)
Nickolas Wolf known as Baseball Fan (uncredited)
Makeup Department:
Lance Aldredge known as hair stylist
Coni Andress known as hair stylist
Karen Asano-Myers known as hair stylist: Mr. Ford (as Karen Myers)
Nikki Bell known as hair stylist
Linda Boykin-Williams known as makeup artist
Bill Corso known as makeup artist: Mr. Ford
Melinda Dunn known as hair stylist
Tracy Ewell known as makeup artist
Sandy Jo Johnston known as makeup artist
Sarah Mays known as third makeup
Denise Paulson known as key makeup artist
Elizabeth Robinson known as hair stylist
Kelvin R. Trahan known as key hair stylist
Ariane Turner known as makeup artist
Brad Wilder known as makeup department head
Victoria Wood known as wig maker
Art Department:
Brent Addison known as set painter
Christopher Amerson known as stand by painter
C. Michael Andrews known as carpenter
Leilah Ayub known as painter
Cameron Beasley known as assistant art director
Laurie Bookhardt known as art department assistant
Dann Brauckmann known as set dresser
Sean Britts known as set decoration production assistant
Danny Brown known as set designer
Martin Charles known as graphic designer
Sandi Cook known as paint gang boss
Marcus Cooley known as painter
Rebecca Cornwall known as painter
Michael D'Imperio known as assistant property master
Brit Doyle known as set dresser
Sarah Falls known as set dresser
Troy Faruk known as set dresser
Christopher Ferris known as construction foreman: Alabama locations
Forest P. Fischer known as set designer
Mike Frame known as painter
Maria Gorodetsky known as scenic artist
Frank Gray III known as props
Sunny Hahlen known as scenic artist
Thomas Sam Hall known as general foreman: to Ted Suchecki
Ron Hammond known as set decoration coordinator
Todd Hatfield known as paint foreman
Jennifer Heastings known as art intern
Michael A. Heath known as prop paperwork
Richard Hebrank known as construction cooordinator: New York
John Paul 'J.P.' Jones known as property master
Kris C. Jones known as painter
Dave Kennedy known as painter
Ryan Kutch known as on-set dresser
Carianne Lance known as props
Jessica Lang known as set dresser
Eliot Levin known as props
Charles A. Maddox known as greensman gang boss
Jeff Markwith known as set designer
Charles E. McCarry known as art director: New York City
Walt Mikolwski known as construction coordinator: pre-production
Justin O'Neal Miller known as assistant art director
Grahame Ménage known as paint foreman: Atlanta stage
Mark Nave known as metal foreman
Shane Reed known as leadman
Kelly Richardson known as art department coordinator
Lauren Rosenbloom known as assistant art director
Andy Rusk known as set dresser
Heath L. Sewell known as painter
Richard Smith known as carpenter
Ann Stacy known as lead scenic
Mary Stacy known as lead buyer
Mike Stassi known as set designer
Caara Stoney known as scenic artist
Lauren Ashly Suchecki known as construction buyer
Theodore Suchecki known as construction coordinator (as Ted Suchecki)
Jennifer Wang known as art assistant
Jerry West known as key greensman
Lisa Yeiser known as graphic artist
Production Companies:
- Warner Bros. Pictures (presents) (A Brian Helgeland Film)
- Legendary Pictures (presents)
Other Companies:
- Liquid Soul Media marketing and publicity
- ARRI / Camera Service Center grip and lighting equipment
- Atlanta Braves special thanks
- Atlanta Film Studios Paulding County sound stages
- Atlanta Production Services restrooms
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment camera dollies
- Cincinnati Reds special thanks
- Harris Diversified a/c & power rental
- Hertz Entertainment Services equipment rentals
- Ignition Print poster design: teaser poster (uncredited)
- Legendary Pictures funding
- LightIRON Digital digital intermediate
- Lightnin' Production Rentals transportation equipment
- Los Angeles Dodgers, The special thanks
- Mike Maxwell and Company catering (paid & promo extras and baseball unit)
- Movie Movers cast trailers
- Movie Movers star trailers
- Movie Movers trucks
- Outback Post digital opticals
- PIC Agency titles
- POP Sound ADR Recording
- Paskal Lighting grip and lighting equipment
- Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Team, The special thanks
- Pittsburgh Pirates special thanks
- Pivotal Post Avid HD editing equipment provided by
- Road Rebel production travel
- San Francisco Giants special thanks
- St. Louis Cardinals special thanks
- Transportation Resources transportation equipment
- WaterTower Music score album
- WaterTower Music soundtrack
Distributors:
- Warner Bros (2013) (USA) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. Entertainment (2013) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Home Video (2013) (USA) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2013) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects:
- Proof
- Shade VFX (visual effects)
Visual Effects by:
Ryan Andersen known as visual effects editorial coordinator: Shade vfx
Adam Avery known as additional visual effects (as Avery FX, Inc.)
Adam Avery known as visual effects editor
Sam Baker known as animator: Mr. X
Wesley Barker known as data wrangler
Wesley Barker known as visual effects coordinator
Ron Barr known as digital opticals: Outback Post
Laurent Ben-Mimoun known as matte painter
Christopher Blazick known as visual effects artist
Rob Blue known as visual effects artist: Hammerhead
Tom Bruno known as previs animator: Proof, Inc.
Robert Cribbett known as compositor: Hammerhead Productions
Hector de la Torre known as cg modeler: HammerHead
Jamie Dixon known as visual effects supervisor
Brady Doyle known as digital compositor: Hammerhead Prods.
Michelle Eisenreich known as visual effects producer: Hammerhead
Daniel A Flores known as rotoscope artist: Shade VFX
Bryan Godwin known as visual effects supervisor: Shade VFX
Brandon Gonzales known as concept artist: Hammerhead
Brandon Gonzales known as matte painter: Hammerhead
Monty Granito known as previz supervisor: Proof Inc
Paul Hopkins known as matchmove/layout
Leopoldo Juarez known as cg artist
Erin Kanoa known as digital matte painter: Hammerhead Productions
Harimander Singh Khalsa known as compositing supervisor: Shade VFX
Beejal Lakhavani known as visual effects editorial production assistant: shade vfx
Mai-Ling Lee known as visual effects artist
Isaac Lipstadt known as visual effects coordinator: Hammerhead
Eric Mancha known as animator
Eric Mancha known as visual effects artist
Shira Mandel known as visual effects artist
Daniel Mellitz known as compositor
Rohini Montenegro known as compositor
Patrick Paul Mullane known as senior matte painter: Hammerhead Studios
Lori J. Nelson known as visual effects producer
Stacy Oliver known as visual effects coordinator
Andrew Pellicer known as digital artist: Shade VFX
Ryan J. Quinlan known as compositor
Florent Revel known as matchmover
John Riddle known as technical director: Shade VFX
Eric J. Robertson known as visual effects supervisor: Mr. X Gotham
Milan Schere known as senior matte painter: Mr. X Inc.
Seema Schere known as digital environment artist: Mr. X Inc.
Sameer Shah known as matte painter: Hammerhead
Ashley Siloac known as visual effects production assistant
Joseph A. Spano III known as digital compositor
Shane Strickman known as digital effects producer: shade vfx
Tommy Tran known as visual effects artist
Linda Tremblay known as digital compositor
David Van Dyke known as visual effects executive producer: Shade VFX
Jason Yanofsky known as CG Supervisor: Hammerhead Productions
Amy Paskow known as matte painter (uncredited)
Release Date:
Brazil 12 April 2013
Canada 12 April 2013
USA 12 April 2013
Taiwan 19 April 2013
Australia 2 May 2013
New Zealand 2 May 2013
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including language
Everyone will remember the name Jackie Robinson. He became more then abaseball player, he became a legend, and a hero to the oppressed.Almost 70 years later his influence is still felt today. You ask anyonewho follows baseball they know the name, the number, and what it meantto the sport.
ReplyDeleteLuckily this film doesn't try to do too much by telling the life storyof Jackie Robinson, instead it focuses on Robinson's days in the NegroLeague in 1945 to his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.Even with America coming off its victory against Fascism in World WarII, racism was still prominent. This was especially true with theracist attitudes against African-Americans. At a time when the societyin America was still segregated based on race, Jackie Robinson becamethe first African-American Major League Baseball player. He brokethrough the color barrier that had kept blacks out of the Major League.Despite his amazing skills as a ballplayer, Robinson faces hugeadversity dealing with the racist prejudice from the public, the fans,and fellow ballplayers. He wasn't just the first Black Major LeagueBaseball player, his greatness on the field had such a huge impact onthe game and America's attitude towards African-Americans. He became anicon in the civil rights movement in America, and ended racialsegregation in America's greatest past time. This is why we rememberhis name, and his number.
Chadwick Boseman has such an uncanny resemblance to Jackie Robinson. Heplayed Robinson beautifully as a man of great talent and character. Ilove that this film isn't just about Robinson's courage, but that ofthose who supported him. Jackie's wife Rachel is played by NicoleBeharie. She is beautiful, strong, and good natured. She is the strongbase that helps Jackie cope with the pain & anger he faces. While mostlove stories come across as corny especially in a sports movie, thisworks thanks to the chemistry and wonderful acting of Boseman andBeharie. Harrison Ford is unforgettable in his supporting role asBranch Rickey, the legendary General Manger who took great risks insigning Jackie Robinson. This was one of Ford's best performances,bringing charisma and heart to his role. Branch Rickey was a gutsy andinnovative figure in baseball, and god rest his soul without him thisincredible story would have never happened. The acting overall iswonderful, and I give credit to a great supporting cast for bringingthis movie to life.
I think 42 will standout amongst all the inspirational sports filmswe've seen. The film depicts the character & courage of JackieRobinson, his wife, his teammates, and everyone else who supported him.The film is a true inspirational story of how a baseball player helpedchange a sport and a country. I give my praise to the acting, writing,directing, and cinematography. Its my hope that this film will educateand inspire this generation and the next. Most sports movies try toinspire you to overcome adversity and encourage you to follow yourdreams. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's corny and melodramatic. But42 is a proud tribute to the legacy of one of baseballs greatestfigures.
When I reviewed the 1950 film "The Jackie Robinson Story", I made thefollowing comment - "What I'd really like to see is a modern dayversion of the Jackie Robinson story that does a more thorough job ofhis college and military years, with a lot better look at hisInternational League and Dodgers career". "42" comes close, as it honesin nicely on Jackie's days in the Negro Leagues and his start in theMajors with the International League Montreal Royals, a BrooklynDodgers farm team. The actor who portrays Robinson, Chadwick Boseman,bears an uncanny resemblance to the color barrier breaking athlete, andtruth be told, actually does a better job than Robinson himself in the1950 biopic, who displayed a surprising lack of charisma consideringhis accomplishments both on and off the field.
ReplyDeleteBe advised however that this is not so much a sports movie as it isabout the state of the country and race relations in the latter half ofthe 1940's. As such, some of the scenes are painful in their depictionsof racial intolerance. Yet at the same time, one gets a first hand viewof how Jackie's teammates came to embrace him first as an accomplishedball player and then as a teammate and friend. The Pee Wee Reese (LucasBlack) scene in the latter part of the movie becomes an emotionalmoment when the Dodgers shortstop steps forward to challenge a stadiumfull of baseball fans to accept a new era in race relations. That wasone of the pivotal scenes in the film for me.
Now had I not known in advance that Harrison Ford was portrayingDodgers owner Branch Rickey, I might not have figured it out on my own.Ford was totally submerged into his character, both physically andemotionally. He offered a nice balance between the often laid backapproach he took to his position against the firebrand posture requiredwhen it came time to lay down the law on anti-discrimination. It wassurprising to hear that his first encounter with a black ball playerwas forty years PRIOR to events in the film, a stunning acknowledgmentthat took four decades to come full circle regarding his own personalmission to combat racism.
All in all, I don't think you have to be a baseball fan to enjoy thisfilm. The period details are attentively done, and the competentcasting of the support players is a big plus. Especially effective isNicole Beharie in the role of Robinson's wife Rachel, and Andre Hollandas the chronicler of Robinson's career while reporting for thePittsburgh Courier. Elements of comic relief are layered into the storyto mitigate the harsh examples of racism, and you'll get a kick out ofthe locker room scene when Ralph Branca (Hamish Linklater) encouragesJackie to take a shower with him. There's just no way to make that comeout right, but they took a pretty good swing at it.
42, a biopic that unsurprisingly stuns the audience with it'snon-cliché drama, amazing acting from every word delivered to everyfacial expression, and Boseman's athletic and acting abilities. Peoplewho have been worried about the SPECIFIC details of Jackie's life willbe delighted to see an amazing copy of his life, with Robinson's stintin the Negro,Minor, and Major Leagues. Chadwick's athletic ability hasbeen tested and he has passed, he showed a spot on portrayal ofJackie's movements/style. The cinematography was actually a sight tosee, I'd have to say that during the baseball playing scenes, I wouldof probably been turned off if it specifically wasn't for this look, itcaptures the scene back then, while still keep in touch with today'saudience. The supporting roles were just tremendous, I don't know ifI'd say award winning but Harrison Ford will get notice for this roleas Branch Rickey, he captures the charisma yet tough heartiness ofBranch. Comedically, the jokes aren't cliché, they're not cheap andBoseman shows his range comedically and dramatically. In conclusion, 42is an amazing looking film and even though it is rated PG-13, theracial topic isn't too weak or strong and at times they may actuallyoveruse, the "n" word, this film is still one of my favorite bio picsthat I've seen in a long time and I hope you"ll enjoy it too, I knowthe audience did because this was one of the few films where anapplause occurred at the end of it and I'm not scared to say that I wasa part of it.
ReplyDeleteThis country has been racist and prejudice for years to minorities. Butin that "great American pastime" baseball, it was just a "white-only"club. "Negroes" as we were called back then (and still now)who hadtalent could never get a chance to play in the big league , had theNegro baseball league. to play in.
ReplyDeleteThen on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the firstAfrican-American baseball player. to be on the all white BrooklynDodgers. "42" tells the story of Jackie Robinson being signed with theBrooklyn Dodgers by team executive Branch Rickey and how it was a realchallenge during his rookie season as a Brooklyn Dodgers player.
I felt the film was done well with good directing by Brian Helgelandwho also wrote the screenplay. He let his cast act and it shows intheir performances. I liked Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson.Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey. Nicole Behanie as Rachel Robinson, andAndre Holland as Wendell Smith. These four were real standouts and Ijust enjoyed watching them do their roles.
I felt the performances of Lucas Black, Christopher Meloni, RyanMerriman, Alan Tudyl, John C. McGinley, T.R. Knight, James Pickens Jr.,Gino Anthony Pesi, and Matt Clark were good ones that added to thefilm.
"42" for me was a powerful and superb film that everyone should see,even if you are not a baseball fan. It looks at a period in our countrywhere stupidity was running amuck in not treating people with respect,fairness, and looking at their color first. Two men started somethingthat would change our lives for the better and thank God that that!!!!!
"42" tells the story of the American legend Jackie Robinson, the firstAfrican-American major league baseball player. This film takes place inthe 1940s when racism and segregation were very prominent, so Jackiehas to overcome many challenges and deal with the doubt and judgmentpeople have towards him. With the support of journalist Wendell Smith(Andre Holland), Rachel Robinson (Nicole Beharie) and Dodger's ownerBranch Rickey (Harrison Ford), Jackie proves he has what it takes tomake it.
ReplyDeleteI really love this film. Not only is "42" educational, but it also hasa sense of humor, wit and a whole lot of inspiration. This filmcaptures the hardships that not only Jackie and his family dealt with,but also the hatred that was shown towards the people that supportedhim. I really like the cinematography and the way the camera angles areable to capture the movement of the players and the unspokencommunication between the team members. The costume and set design isalso very well done and accurate for that time period.
My favorite character is Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) because hereally shows emotion in a realistic way. Jackie is faced with challengeafter challenge, but always overcomes, and Chadwick did a phenomenaljob of displaying all that was going through his characters mind withnothing but a simple expression. Chadwick also captured Jackie's spunkand defiance towards the norms. Jackie Robinson is such aninspirational person and character. At any given moment he could havegiven up, let down the people that looked up to him, believe all thehate that was thrown at him, but he didn't, and that's what makes him ahero. I believe Jackie is a character that every man, woman and childcan look up to and find inspiration in.
My favorite scene is when Jackie plays one of his first games as aDodger. The manager of the opposing team is very slanderous and viletowards Jackie. He calls out awful racial slurs while Jackie is out onthe field, but Jackie knows if he did anything about it he would be theone who gets punished. Finally after the other Dodgers had enough,Eddie Stanky marched over to the opposing team and told the manager tosit down. He knows he is breaking the rules, but when he sees a teammember of his being harped on he takes a chance and stands up of forhim. This scene shows that the color of one's skin doesn't matter andthat Eddie would have done that for any one of his teammates. It's awonderful example of equity and sportsmanship and it is very moving.
I give "42" 5 out of 5 stars because it is touching, funny, educationaland inspirational. It's rated PG-13 which I agree with because it doesrun a bit long and younger children may find it hard to sit through,but it also contains a lot of racial slurs and slanderous language thatmay be hard for children to understand.
Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Raven Devanney, age 15. For videoreview, go to kidsfirst dot org.
I did not expect a movie like this to be so good!
ReplyDeleteThe acting was brilliant. Chad Boseman as Jackie Robinson did fantasticjob playing his character. You can feel the turmoil building up insidehim every time some racist moron starts to provoke him. Most of thetime, I felt so much sympathy for him.
Harrison Ford should be nominated for an Academy Award. From beginningto end, he was spot on. He's one of the only people in the movie whoactually treats Jackie like a human being from the beginning.
The other actors were good too.
With almost every sports movie, you can pretty much tell were the storywas going. I will admit it was kind of predictable, but it was stillenjoyable nonetheless.
The racism. Oh god. I understand that the film was set in the 40s andthat's how it was back then, but the racism in this film angered me tono end. I could not stand some of these characters, especially one thatstood out as the biggest piece of garbage in this entire film. I can'tblame the filmmakers for that; in fact, if they did sugarcoat thelanguage, I don't think the film would have been as strong. I guess theonly good thing that comes out of it is how it helps build Jackie'scharacter. You could feel the rage building up inside him.
I guess the only problem I have is how there was not as much baseballas there should have been in a movie about a baseball player. Thegaming scenes were a lot of fun to watch but I felt that they were abit too short.
Overall, the acting was great, the characters were great, and the storywas great. If you're a sports fan, 42 is film worth checking out.
You probably think this film is completely focused on the story ofJackie Robinson. That is definitely not the case, as this film findsbalance between the story of Robinson, baseball, and segregation. Andthis film succeeds in depicting all three aspects to bring a powerful,heartwarming, humorous film. The casting is great. Every actor fits hisor her character perfectly. Harrison Ford does an amazing jobportraying his character with his no- nonsense humorous attitude. Hehas a good chance of grabbing an academy award nomination for thisroll. This is one of those movies that takes you for an emotionalthrill ride. You feel for the Robinson. You want him to win. And yourejoice when he does. So sit back and let the film drag you in; it'sworth your time.
ReplyDeleteAs Jackie Robinson was an excellent, multi-faceted baseball player,"42" is an excellent multi-faceted movie. Writer-director BrianHelgeland manages to artfully mix elements of drama, baseball action,humor and romance[!] while telling an important story about recentAmerican history.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was wise for the film to focus on just a few years ofRobinson's career, so that more time could be given to important scenesboth on and off the field.
"42" is not called the "Jackie Robinson Story" for a reason. The movieis about more than just one man. The film shows the roles that BrooklynDodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), Robinson's wife Rachel(Nicole Beharie), and journalist Wendell Smith (Andre Holland) playedin Robinson's career and life. All the actors give fine performances.And Chadwick Boseman is fantastic in portraying Robinson'sdetermination, anxiety, anger, athleticism and courage.
I also appreciated the scenes that touched on the cultural climate inthe nation. Watch for what happens between a father and his son whenRobinson is introduced at a game in Cincinnati.
I thoroughly enjoyed "42". It's a film that that should be agame-winning hit with baseball fans, and those who appreciate civilrights and American history.
Greetings again from the darkness. After some soul searching, I havedecided to turn off the critical side of my brain and concentrate onwhat is good about this movie. As a baseball and movie fanatic, a bitof trepidation creeps in when the two come together. However, thisreally isn't a baseball movie, though the story focuses on what may bethe most critical turning point in baseball history. In fact, thisturning point was much bigger than the American Pasttime ... it wasalso key to the Civil Rights Movement. The movie is a reminder of howdifferent things could have been with the wrong man rather than theright one ... Jackie Robinson.
ReplyDeleteWriter/Director Brian Helgeland (s/p for L.A. Confidential and MysticRiver) takes a look at what occurred in 1945-47, when Brooklyn DodgersPresident and GM Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) made thebusiness decision to integrate baseball. We see his selection process... Roy Campanella "too nice", Satchel Paige "too old". He settles onJackie Robinson after their infamous 3 hour meetings where Rickeyconfronts Robinson with his need for a black player "with the guts NOTto fight back".
Chadwick Boseman portrays Jackie Robinson as a man thoroughly in lovewith his wife Rachel (played by Nicole Beharie), and one who says hejust wants to "be a ballplayer", while at the same time taking pride inhis world-changing role. We see his evolution from his stint asshortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs of Negro Leagues to his timewith the Dodgers' AAA minor league team in Montreal and finally to hisintroduction to the Major Leagues in 1947.
This is an earnest and sincere movie that removes the complexities ofthe times and the main characters. Much of it is portrayed as good guysversus bad guys. The good guys are really good and the bad guys arereally bad. Alan Tudyk has the unenviable task of portrayingPhiladelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman, who famously unleashed averbal assault of vile racism on Robinson. Mr. Rickey creditedChapman's small-mindedness as the single biggest factor in unifying theDodger team around Robinson. The other famous moment given time in themovie is when beloved shortstop Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black) put his armaround Robinson, shushing the Cincinnati fans. Of course as a baseballfan, I enjoyed the all too brief antics of Brooklyn manager LeoDurocher (Christopher Meloni) whose place in the Robinson story wouldhave been much more profound had he not succumbed to the weakness ofthe flesh (so to speak).
Filmmaker Helgeland provides a tale of morality and social change, andprovides a glimpse at the character and strength required by thoseinvolved. The story has much more to do with demonstrating how thetimes began to change than it does with how Jackie Robinson, anunpolished ballplayer but superior athlete, transformed himself into aperennial all-star and league MVP. And that's as it should be. AsRickey stated, acceptance will only occur if the world is convincedRobinson is a fine gentleman and a great baseball player. That burdenmust have weighed heavily at times, but it's very clear that Robinsonwas the right man at the right time.
I'm a middle-aged black man now and sometimes I wonder if young peopleget it.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Richmond, VA, and I'm 1 (ONE) generation removed fromsegregation.
It is because of this that I was FLOORED by the performance of theseyoung actors. Chadwick Boseman & Nicole Beharie did a magnificent jobportraying the grace and courage of the Robinsons.
I couldn't have done it. Boseman has an UNCANNY resemblance to Jackie,and his performance was so visceral that it proved to me that Icouldn't have done it.
I wouldn't have had the courage to stand up to racism by NOT fightingback. I wouldn't have had the patience to bide my time until folksdecided it was time to see me as being more than sub-human. Iabsolutely wouldn't have taken the risk of playing a game while peoplethreatened my wife and child.
When Jackie finally got angry enough to smash his bat against a wall,that was the ONLY thing I could relate to - then to realize he had togo back out there because it was about MORE than just him - I wasflabbergasted by his courage.
This is more than a film about baseball. The nuances like watchingpeople in second class seating still turning out to support Robinson infull-on "Sunday church service" dress was poignant to me.
This movie ain't just about Jackie.
My mom is from New York, and she was 7 years old when Jackie joined theDodgers. She remembers this clearly.
It's obvious why you (as I did) would take your kids to see this filmas it shows what happened and how far we've come. For me, it shows whatother people did FOR ME that I was incapable of doing for myself.
This film has some corny parts to it - like most films of this ilk, itsanitizes some things and does tie a nice bow on some issues glossedover in the retelling...
..that doesn't mean it's not a darned good film.
I'm pretty cynical these days. It's not often that I watch a film witha lump in my throat the whole time. I am indebted to the young actorswho portrayed the people of my grandparents' generation with style,class and urgency.
I will own this film when it becomes available and that date can't comesoon enough.