Movie Review: 42

Young guests surround Brooklyn Dodgers' second baseman Jackie Robinson and his son Jackie Jr. as they light candles on his birthday cake for his third birthday party in St. Albans in the Queens section of New York, Nov. 18, 1949. Jackie Sr. was also named Most Valuable Player in the National League today. At left is Rachel Robinson, the baseball star's wife, and at right is Sarah Satlow, his secretary. Other children are unidentified. (AP Photo/John Rooney)
Photo: File

The new movie '42' is well done. We viewers have season tickets for Jackie Robinson's rookie year.
Personally, I'm glad to be in the theatre and not in the stands. Having myself observed racism first hand, it would surely ruin a nice day at the ballpark, to say the least. It is difficult enough experiencing vitriolic racism in a movie based on real experiences.

Sportswriter Wendell Smith (Andre Holland)

I very much appreciate the portrayal of Jackie's support structure--the families and professionals (such as sports writer Wendell Smith--played by Andre Holland) who were presenting what we would recognize as the backbone of the Civil Rights movement prior to the 1950's leadership of Rosa Parks and Dr. King. Educated, intelligent, gifted, and above all, remarkable human beings. Giving dignity and respect new definitions. Millions of not-famous folks still do this, in all demographics, the product of thoughtful, courageous leadership.

This is the actual Jackie Robinson.

Jackie Robinson is portrayed as a superior athlete (four sports at UCLA), a college graduate who served as an officer in the Army in WWII. But even with his credentials, he struggles in this new position. We watch the racial abuse spilled on him like an overflowing toilet. (I wish this weren't still happening in the world.) Even though we know the end of the story, all his achievements as an athlete and humanitarian--it stills rankles. It is still disgusting and we think--how could that be legal, even then? How tragic that kids learn that behavior. Actor Chadwick Boseman recreates the athleticism, thoughtfulness, and depth of Jackie Robinson. The struggle to overcome.

Rachel Robinson (Nicole Beharie)

All the details are perfect, the set dressing, costumes, the dialog, the
baseball action; I really love it, being a baseball fan. The actors caught the real people. Rachel Robinson (actress Nicole Beharie) is intelligent, beautiful, educated, classy. A girl from Pasadena, Cal., thrust into old school racism. Harrison Ford's character, Branch Rickey, keeps saying he brought Robinson into the organization for the money--is that really so? Ford gives a layered performance to a complex man.

Baseball managers had wished they could integrate the game for decades. Check out Ken Burns' documentary "Baseball," free Netflix trial.

Ken Burns: Baseball

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70202575?locale=en-US&mqso=81000230&awmatchtype=p&awnetwork=g&awcreative=21630873068&awkeyword=ken%20burns%20baseball&awposition=1t1&awexpid=&gclid=CO3n7e-XzrYCFcF_QgodOTgAUQ

But it took Rickey to do it.

Will this movie help racism to recede? Will this movie create more resiliency and dignity for folks young and old who suffer injustice? I hope so. I pray so.

If you wish, there is a 1950 film called "The Jackie Robinson Story," (The Jackie Robinson Story http://www.youtube.com/movie/the-jackie-robinson-story) starring Jackie himself, that includes more background. Free on youtube. How cool is that?

Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) and Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford.) in the movie 42.