by Monica Beck
“42” is a “must see” biopic of Jackie Robinson’s experience as the first major league baseball player to break the color barrier. In 1947, Branch Rickey, whose forward thinking and steely resolve, hired and inspired Jackie to join his team the Brooklyn Dodgers, thus ending segregation in major league sports. In fact just one year later, in 1948 the U.S military followed suit as Harry S. Truman signed an executive order desegregating the U.S. military in 1948.
Director Brian Helgeland chose actor Chadwick Boseman, not a leading man, but an actor who aced the role, capturing Robinson’s trials and triumph as he began his major league baseball career. He proves he is more than capable to himself, his teammates, fellow ball players and Rickey as well. Harrison Ford offers a very convincing portrayal of Branch Rickey as well. As the film progresses he reveals more of himself—not just an opportunist, attention getter, but someone who wants to right a wrong. Harboring regrets from his past, because he did not stand up for a player in the face of racism, he puts his career and reputation on the line for taking a chance on Robinson.
Robinson himself played the role of social-reconstructionist, which forced Americans to look at their attitudes regarding race, and helped to pave the way for further desegregation efforts such as the desegregation of the U.S. military. In fact, while in the armed forces, Robinson was court marshaled for defying segregation policies. Robinson’s pain related to the negative effects of racism was palpable and heart breaking- to be judged not by one’s actions or abilities, but the color of one’s skin. When Rickey and Robinson joined forces almost sixty years ago the stars must have aligned perfectly, helping to change Americans’ backward attitudes regarding race, and creating a more equitable society for the betterment of all Americans.
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The film 42 is showing at the Strand Theater in Brockport, NY one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the United States. Please support local business.
The film 42 is showing at the Strand Theater in Brockport, NY one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the United States. Please support local business.
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