The number “42” is the only number in Major League Baseball that is retired by every team. 42 is a biographical sports drama written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who is most known for writing the screenplays for L.A. Confidential (for which he received an Academy Award), Mystic River, and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. The movie focuses on the life story of Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford).
The film does a wonderful job portraying what a struggle it was for Robinson to become the first African-American player to break the baseball color barrier. The film focuses on Jackie’s 1946 season with the Montreal Royals and his 1947 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Although it does not only focus on Jackie Robinson, it also focuses on the roles that Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, Robinson’s wife Rachel, and reporter Wendall Smith played throughout his career and life. The film also shows how Rickey takes a brave stand against prejudice by forever changing the world of baseball by adding to his roster the most controversial player in baseball.
Jackie Robinson not only faced vicious racism from other clubs, but also from fans and his own teammates. Throughout his struggles, Rickey continues to tell him to never fight back. By following through with Rickey’s advice, Robinson lets his baseball ability speak for itself, and is soon one of the most popular and best players for the Brooklyn Dodgers team.
Aside from Harrison Ford, most of the actors in this film are ones who you have never even heard of. But despite this lack of recognition, the acting in 42 was phenomenal. Ford does a fantastic job portraying Branch Rickey, who never loses faith in Robinson and his ability to bring African-Americans into Major League Baseball. Boseman also did a wonderful job portraying Jackie Robinson. All of his emotions were taken genuinely, and if you didn’t know it you could think that it was Robinson himself.
One of the best scenes in the film is during a game after the opposing teams manager continues to yell racial slurs where Robinson walks into a hallway of the dugout and starts to yell, cry, and smash his bat against the wall. Rickey comes in and tells him that he has to remain calm, and to not let the manager win, while comforting him at the same time. This is an unforgettable scene which particularly showcases how well both of these actors performed in 42.
Another extremely important actor in the film is Nicole Beharie, who portrays Robinson’s wife Rachel. Rachel and Robinson get married at the beginning of the movie, when he first starts talking to Branch Rickey about joining Major League Baseball. Throughout everything, Rachel is his rock. She provides support for him and his choices throughout the movie and never leaves his side.
Although this is a serious movie, there are also some aspects of humor throughout it. One of the most memorable, and funny parts of the movie is when the short stop for the Dodgers, Pee Wee Reese, decides to show his support for Robinson. During their chat on the field he says, “Maybe we should all wear 42 so they won’t be able to tell the difference.”
An important aspect of the film that Branch Rickey brings up during his first meeting with Jackie Robinson is courage. He explains to Robinson that there are going to be many people opposed to him joining the Dodgers, and will do anything to make him not stick around. Rickey tells Robinson that those who have courage to stand up, also need to be able to have the courage to not fight back.
If you are hesitant at first because you are not a fan of baseball, 42 is still a must see. Although baseball is obviously an important part in the movie, you do not need to be a fan in order to watch it. 42 is hands down one of the best movies I have ever seen, and I don’t say that about just any movie.