In 1947, the fabulous Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player signing to team in the major league. This process was attacked savagely by the press , public and even the players of Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson's talent proved his efficiency and changes their opinions in him.This process ended an era of racism and prejudice and destroy this shameful color line in the game of baseball.
As a fond gesture to a country coming out of the dark ages, 42 is a good-hearted attempt at Robinson's story regardless of the historical realities it chose to gloss over.
It's not easy to play a stoic, but Boseman anchors the movie, and when he smiles, 42, already such a warm story of such cold times, gets even brighter.
It comes with a smooth burnished period look, and it tells a smooth and burnished story. Helgeland has good intentions but not much new to say about a real-life hero who wears his nobility and torment mostly as symbols.
Boseman gives a potentially star-making performance, while Ford, at 70, segues smoothly from firm-jawed action hero to elder-statesman character actor.
The story isn't much more than a hit parade of "Shut up, racist" moments -- Alan Tudyk's opposing manager just oozes with venomous talk -- but its blunt force is enough to get the job done.
A square, uninventive, but detailed and stirring bio-pic devoted to the two years in an athlete's life that changed a nation.
Maclean's Magazine
May 07, 2014
A hero without imperfections can be problematic. But Jackie's nobility is more than well-earned, and tarnishing it for the sake of balance would be churlish. Besides, there's enough evil at loose among the white characters.
