Rated
PG-13 (Thematic Elements including Language)
Running
Time: 2 Hours & 8 Minutes
Cast-
Chadwick
Boseman-Jackie Robinson
Harrison
Ford-Branch Rickey
Nicole
Beharie-Rachel Robinson
Andre
Holland-Wendell Smith
Christopher
Meloni-Leo Durocher
Lucas
Black-Pee Wee Reese
Hamish
Linklater-Ralph Branca
Alan
Tudyk-Ben Chapman
Brett
Cullen-Clay Hopper
Max
Gail-Burt Shotton
John
C. McGinley-Red Barber
Directed
by Brian Helgeland
 |
| Chadwick Boseman delivers a sincere performance as Jackie Robinson in Brian Helgeland's latest film "42." |
Note: Screened on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at AMC Loews 84th Street 6.
Americans
really like to watch sports. During CBS' broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII, the
average number of people who tuned in was 108.4 million, which was actually
down 3% from last year. I, however, did not watch the game. Hell, I didn't even
know what teams were playing or who won. In fact, I have never watched a Super
Bowl or any other sporting event in my life (besides the Olympics). I don't
care for sports but when I was in middle school, I tried to feign interest in
baseball because one of my friends was a self-professed baseball nut. He
rattled off random statistics like there was no tomorrow. During our senior
trip, he talked me into playing a round of softball (a variant of baseball) as
a catcher but I quit within fifteen minutes. It just wasn't for me.
Nevertheless, I do acknowledge that sports, especially baseball, make up an
important part of American culture. People don't call it 'America's Pastime'
for no reason. Yet sixty-six years ago, that pastime was tainted by racial
segregation. Everyone knows that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier but it
didn't happen overnight. Despite being met with outright derision and hostility
on-and-off the field, Robinson's love for the game allowed him to persevere and
eventually win over the hearts of millions. Such a story is tailor-made for a
Hollywood crowd-pleaser, which is exactly what writer/director Brian Helgeland
has made with his latest film "42." Featuring an engaging performance
from newcomer Chadwick Boseman, "42" is a well-meaning, earnestly made
biographical film on one of the most transformative figures in baseball history
but Helgeland ultimately trades nuance for a by-the-numbers story that seems
more concerned with the legend rather than the man himself.
Although they gave their
lives for freedom during World War II, black soldiers returned home only to
find themselves still treated like second-class citizens. In order to rectify
this, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) decides to
break the unspoken color barrier and begins searching for a skilled
African-American player who 'has the guts not
to fight back.' His reasons for doing this are rooted in altruism but he also
understands that racial integration will generate more revenue for the MLB.
Branch soon settles on twenty-six-year-old Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman),
a shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs. Fully aware that Robinson will be
faced with a torrent of racism, Branch has him promise to 'turn the other
cheek' and puts that promise to the test by signing him up for the Montreal
Royals in 1945. Robinson's presence immediately provokes a firestorm of
controversy but with the support of his wife Rachel (Nicole Beharie), he slowly
earns the respect of his teammates while drawing in huge crowds. In 1947,
Branch moves Robinson up to the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Putting his resolve to the test, Robinson endures an endless stream of racial
epithets from opposing teams while also facing discrimination from within.
Jackie Robinson has been the subject of an afterschool special, two television
movies and even a musical but it's surprising that Hollywood has never made a
big-screen retelling of his accomplishments until now (with the exception of
1950's "The Jackie Robinson Story," which ironically stars Robinson
as himself). Studios and especially audiences eat up 'inspirational' stories like
these. Covering Robinson's time with the Montreal Royals and his first season
with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brian Helgeland's "42" unfortunately falls
into the common trap of idolizing its subject matter too much. You never really
get a sense of who Robinson was as a person because the script is nothing more
than a hagiography. Much of the drama is focused on his attempts to prove that
he has what it takes to make it in the all-white world of major league baseball
but Helgeland's treatment of the material lacks subtlety, with many characters
reduced to being caricatures that are either completely good or completely
evil. A perfect example of this is when Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben
Chapman (Alan Tudyk) lets loose a string of racial slurs at Robinson every time
he comes to the plate. While it was likely worse in real-life, these scenes
instead cheapen its racial conflict by turning it into a display of over-the-top
buffoonery. However, there is one moment that manages to capture Robinson's pent-up
frustration after he endures another round of Chapman's taunts. Alone in the
runway behind the dugout at Ebbets Field, Robinson finally snaps, his
barely-contained fury let loose with a scream as he repeatedly smashes his bat
against the wall before sobbing silently. This is the type of raw emotion that
Helgeland should've strived for, rather than settling for mawkish
sentimentality.
Thankfully, "42" isn't a total loss and some of the
most compelling scenes take place on the baseball field. At one point, Robinson
reaches first base and with a mischievous smile at the pitcher, steals second
and third in quick succession. His skill on the field is answered with verbal
and even physical abuse. From Fritz Ostermueller beaning him in the head (which
didn't actually happen) to being spiked in the thigh by Enos Slaughter, Robinson
overcomes each obstacle with his dynamic athleticism and shrewd play-style,
allowing Helgeland to deliver plenty of crowd-pleasing moments. The film shines
in these scenes, even when Robinson's triumph is already a foregone conclusion.
Regrettably, the script can't help but fall back into cornball sermonizing,
complete with preachy platitudes from Ford's Branch Rickey. Even the production
design reflects this tone. Constantly bathed in a warm light, "42"
exhibits the same shiny glow of many recent Hollywood bio-pics and while it's
handsome to look at, it just feels too sanitized and artificial, right down to
the freshly pressed costumes and obvious CG backdrops. Mark Isham's score also
lays it on a little too thick at times with his swelling violin. "42"
is not a 'bad' film per se but Helgeland plays it too safe, robbing the drama
of any impact in favor of feel-good nostalgia. It even avoids the fact that the
Brooklyn Dodgers lost to the New York
Yankees during the 1947 World Series!
Fortunately, newcomer Chadwick Boseman
manages to instill some measure of depth to the script with his nuanced
portrayal of Jackie Robinson. When it comes to casting someone in the role of
an iconic figure, especially a historical one, you need someone that not only
resembles them but can also embody their personality in a convincing manner.
Boseman accomplishes them with aplomb, giving a performance that is both
sincere and dignified. With his cantankerous demeanor and gruff speech,
Harrison Ford is charming as Branch Rickey, even if he is a giant walking
cartoon. The rest of the cast are filled out by fine character actors who are
sadly shortchanged by the story. Nicole Beharie is one-note as Robinson's wife,
and the only Dodger teammates that stand out is Lucas Black's Pee Wee Reese and
Hamish Linklater's Ralph Branca. Linklater has a funny scene where his
character awkwardly tries to get Robinson to shower with the team while John C.
McGinley's straight-faced, old-timey delivery as sports commentator Red Barber
drew a lot of laughs.
Released on April 12, 2013, "42" has received
largely positive reviews with 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics hailed it as 'an
earnest, inspirational, and respectfully told biography of an influential
American sports icon, though it might be a little too safe and old-fashioned
for some.' It's currently on track for a weekend box office debut of $25
million, the highest ever for a baseball film. I'm not surprised considering
how well-received it was during the advance screening last Thursday. People
were literally cheering in their seats. My praise is a little more reserved and
while it may seem like I hated the film, let me assure you I didn't. Yes, Helgeland
should've taken more risks with his script but it's hard to fully dislike
"42" given how earnest and well-meaning it is.
Final
Rating: 3 out of 5
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