42 (2013)

The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey.

Director:

Brian Helgeland

Writer:

Brian Helgeland

Stars:

Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chadwick Boseman	...	Jackie Robinson
Harrison Ford	...	Branch Rickey
Nicole Beharie	...	Rachel Robinson
Christopher Meloni	...	Leo Durocher
Ryan Merriman	...	Dixie Walker
Lucas Black	...	Pee Wee Reese
Andre Holland	...	Wendell Smith
Alan Tudyk	...	Ben Chapman
Hamish Linklater	...	Ralph Branca
T.R. Knight	...	Harold Parrott
John C. McGinley	...	Red Barber
Toby Huss	...	Clyde Sukeforth
Max Gail	...	Burt Shotton
Brad Beyer	...	Kirby Higbe
James Pickens Jr.	...	Mr. Brock

Storyline

In 1946, Jackie Robinson is a Negro League baseball player who never takes racism lying down. Branch Rickey is a Major League team executive with a bold idea. To that end, Rickey recruits Robinson to break the unspoken color line as the first modern African American Major League player. As both anticipate, this proves a major challenge for Robinson and his family as they endure unrelenting racist hostility on and off the field, from player and fan alike. As Jackie struggles against his nature to endure such abuse without complaint, he finds allies and hope where he least expects it.

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Plot Keywords:

brooklyn dodgers | home run | 1940s | digit in title | hero | 

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Taglines:

In a game divided by color, he made us see greatness.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Jackie Robinson Project

Filming Locations:

Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$27,487,144 (USA) (12 April 2013)

Gross:

$89,067,920 (USA) (20 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pittsburgh pitcher Fritz Ostermueller wears number 21 in the film, a number which later would be worn by Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, one of the first Afro-Latino superstars in baseball. Clemente had been drafted by the Pirates in 1954 (also by Branch Rickey ) and some have suggested that his number also should be retired from baseball just as Jackie Robinson's number 42 has been.

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Goofs

Car radios were a "tube type", through the 1940's & the mid 1950's and they needed a warm up of 5 or 10 seconds before any sound was produced. In the movie the sound came on at the 1st click of the switch, that would be impossible in those times.

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Quotes

Ben Chapman: Hey, Stanky, what's it like bein' a nigger's nigger?
Eddie Stanky: I dunno, Chapman, what's it like bein' a redneck piece of shit?

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Connections

Referenced in Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Episode dated 17 April 2013 (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Moon Glow"
Written by Irving Mills, Will Hudson and Edgar De Lange
Performed by Artie Shaw & His Orchestra
Courtesy of Bluebird/Novus/RCA Victor
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

An Inspiring Baseball Movie That Touches All the Bases

As Jackie Robinson was an excellent, multi-faceted baseball player, "42" is an excellent multi-faceted movie. Writer-director Brian Helgeland manages to artfully mix elements of drama, baseball action, humor and romance[!] while telling an important story about recent American history.

I thought it was wise for the film to focus on just a few years of Robinson's career, so that more time could be given to important scenes both on and off the field.

"42" is not called the "Jackie Robinson Story" for a reason. The movie is about more than just one man. The film shows the roles that Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), Robinson's wife Rachel (Nicole Beharie), and journalist Wendell Smith (Andre Holland) played in Robinson's career and life. All the actors give fine performances. And Chadwick Boseman is fantastic in portraying Robinson's determination, anxiety, anger, athleticism and courage.

I also appreciated the scenes that touched on the cultural climate in the nation. Watch for what happens between a father and his son when Robinson is introduced at a game in Cincinnati.

I thoroughly enjoyed "42". It's a film that that should be a game-winning hit with baseball fans, and those who appreciate civil rights and American history.