42 (2013)
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the
first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
Though many talented black players
exist in the Minor Leagues, Brooklyn Dodgers manager
Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) thinks it is time to
challenge segregation and take the sport forward. He
wants to find a player who is not only exceptionally
talented, but can face up to the onslaught of vicious
racism likely to come his way, as the first black man on
an all-white team. One name keeps coming up: Jackie
Robinson (Chadwick Boseman).
Talented as a base-stealer, Jackie
has only one problem—a vicious temper. Known for his
tendency to stand up for himself, Jackie will refuse to
buy gas at stations that won’t let him use the “white’s
only” bathroom. Branch thinks he has a chance, so he
offers him the opportunity of a lifetime—learn to
control your temper, and you can make history. Elated,
Jackie agrees. With his wife (Nicole Beharie) in tow, he
heads for spring training.
But he doesn’t just face racism in
the stands. The other players don’t want him there,
either. And the first season they are about to have will
change them all forever.
42 is not only a beautiful
tribute to a remarkable man, it is a memorable lesson in
self-control. It’s most powerful message is that
unsavory things, like racism, can force other people to
become heroes. In two of its most lingering scenes,
Jackie faces an onslaught of abuse so bad, it forces his
“racist” teammates to defend him. One of them thanks him
for being on the team, and for this moment, because it
let him “show people who I truly am.” Jackie’s
incredible grace, in how he again and again controls his
temper, even when it breaks him down in tears, is more
memorable than the rest of the story. The movie does not
talk about how much his faith influences this decision,
but it alludes to it, in his deeds. He is the
best kind of witness, a man who lives his faith,
even if the script does not allow him to “preach” it.
I knew nothing about Jackie other
than his legacy before seeing this film. It’s
beautifully done, but hard to watch. Jackie gets turned
away from hotels. Screamed at from the stands. But he
inspires people. Unites them. He plays ball with a
sense of humor and transcendent grace. Rather than knock
the block off a pitcher determined to get to him, Jackie
turns the tables on him and plays mind games with him as
he prepares to steal bases. It’s beautiful. It’s a
wonderfully acted, well-written, fine period piece that
will shape your perception of baseball’s most memorable
black player for a long, long time.
Sexual Content
A man calls another man in the middle of the night, and wakes him up in
bed with his mistress; he tells him the Bible has a few things to say about
adultery. A married couple kiss and embrace. A man yells derogatory things at
Jackie, including speculating which one of the other players' wives he will
"climb on tonight."
Language:
Several uses of GD. Several abuses of Jesus' name. Other general
profanities. Lots of racial slurs (the n-word is repeatedly shouted from the
stands / dugout / used in reference to Jackie).
Violence:
Characters discuss Jackie's past history of beating up
people who disrespect him; his new boss tells him he wants someone with the
moral strength and courage not to fight back. Racists threaten Jackie
with violence, telling his companions that if he is still there when they get
back, he'll regret it (they get him out of there, quick). A brawl breaks out
among the baseball players over an argument. Jackie endures racial taunts and
insults, then leaves the field, and smashes his baseball bat to bits in a rage.
Other:
Period-authentic but hard-to-listen-to racism.
