42 - Not just about sports

There is a scene in 42 in which Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman climbs out of the dugout and spews cruel racist remarks at Brooklyn Dodgers rookie Jackie Robinson.You can see the pain and rage on Robinson’s face as he tries to concentrate on his bat, knowing if he goes after Chapman, the headlines won’t be about the hateful manager — they’ll be about the first black player in the major leagues “attacking” the opposition.You immediately feel for this rookie and the fine line of emotional balance he has to maintain at every step of his amazing journey.On the exterior, this may seem like just another sports film, but it is much more than that. This is more of a drama centered around around one of the most significant sporting events in the history of baseball.

Based on the true story of Branch Rickey’s signing of Jackie Robinson for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in 1946 in a bid to start racial equality within the sport; the film’s opening narration informs us that before this season there was not one black player in the league but things were about to change.Racism, however, was not only present in the game but also rife across America at this time, and the film is more about what Robinson stood for for humanity, not just baseball in general. Robinson and Ricky knew they will be hated and abused from the fans and fellow players, but the weight of what Robinson must have had on his shoulders must have been incredible, especially as he knows one wrong word or if he shows a fight against his oppressors, he will not only lose his personal battle, but also damage the possibilities for other black players to follow in his footsteps.

Chadwick Boseman as Robinson is good and handles the array of emotions really well, but somehow I felt he could have done better with the role and seemed too uni dimensional at times. Harrison Ford as Rickey gives one of the best performances of his career.Whether Rickey’s lecturing young team members in his office, or observing his team from the sidelines, he’s filled with one-liner wisdom and perfectly timed punch lines. Andre Holland is solid as Wendell Smith, a black sportswriter who’s more of a travel guide for Robinson.

42 is one of the better films of this year but not without its faults.At times the journey of Robinson seems too easy and the film could have shown more of the struggles he may have gone through in his time.But without being too critical, this is a good movie about human courage and character and it is a film which deserves to be made. The screenplay is excellent,the sports scenes are excellent,the support cast competent and Harrison Ford with a potential to get an Oscar nod.Don't miss this if you like warm uplifting films.

WORTHY MENTIONS

Watch out for the superb scene which follows where Robinson breaks down out of sight from the media’s eyes.

the number 42 is retired in Baseball as a tribute to Robinson.

MY VERDICT

***1/2 - Uplifting