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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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:

Rickwood Field - 1137 2nd Avenue W, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

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

Gross:

$69,819,943 (USA) (29 April 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

Jackie Robinson's number, 42, was universally retired in 1997 by Commissioner Bud Selig. The handful of players then wearing the number were grandfathered in and allowed to keep it. As of this film's release, only Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees continues to don 42 on a daily basis.

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Goofs

Rachel says the weather is cold when leaving for the game, but while at the baseball game, all fans in the stadium are wearing sleeveless shirts, lightweight clothing, and very few jackets.

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Quotes

[from trailer]
Jackie Robinson: I'm not goin' anywhere! I'm right here!

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #21.133 (2013)
Jay mentions that Chadwick Boseman from the film will be on tomorrow

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Soundtracks

"The Sidewalks Of New York"
Written by Charles Lawlor and James Blake
Performed by Ed Alstrom

User Reviews

Very Well Done

You probably think this film is completely focused on the story of Jackie Robinson. That is definitely not the case, as this film finds balance between the story of Robinson, baseball, and segregation. And this film succeeds in depicting all three aspects to bring a powerful, heartwarming, humorous film. The casting is great. Every actor fits his or her character perfectly. Harrison Ford does an amazing job portraying his character with his no- nonsense humorous attitude. He has a good chance of grabbing an academy award nomination for this roll. This is one of those movies that takes you for an emotional thrill ride. You feel for the Robinson. You want him to win. And you rejoice when he does. So sit back and let the film drag you in; it's worth your time.