Review of 42 (2013) by Harry W — 23 May 2015

Being critically acclaimed and featuring Harrison Ford, 42 sounded like an inspiring sports drama.

42 doesn't exactly explain why Branch Rickey decided to be bring racial integration into American professional baseball. I've seen so many movies that always suggest there has to be a serious change in society for a Caucasian character to believe in racial intergration. So when Branch Rickey suddenly decides to change the world, it almost seems a little optimistic. I'm not sure how much of a true story this is, but it is a change in convention which seems rather odd. However, what comes next is refreshing. With so many films depicting African-Americans having to fight or suffer so hard to be seen as valuable to society, 42 takes the same approach as the 2014 film Selma in showing the way that the people had to stand there and take so much head on without ever fighting back. That in itself is as inspiring as the sporting sentiment of the film, and though 42 is not perfect, it really succeeds at what it sets out to do.

42 is criticised for being too safe or old fashioned with its subject matter, and to a certain extent I can understand that. But in the context of 42 I enjoyed it because it didn't pound viewers over the head with its political message. Instead, it let them use common sense to decipher it on its own while functioning as a good sports film. 42 is not a film which as to explain why racism is so stupid because viewers already know why, and instead it uses the subject matter to tell a story about racism against the backdrop of a baseball tale. At times it can leave things feeling rather blank or simplistic as well as the fact that it the film feels a lot like it focuses more on the concept than the characters which can occasionally lead to predictability. 42 is not as much about Jackie Robinson as much as it is about the sport of baseball itself as well as the civil rights movement and the many people involved in both which is a lot of ground for it to cover. Because it has so much ambition, the fact that it is not always as deep in exploring its protagonist as it could have been does not bother me all that much. And perhaps the film is even a little too optimistic at times. But frankly, with the impassioned directorial work from Brian Helgeland and the fact that the film was a good old fashioned patriotic film about the American culture of baseball and the changing times, effectively stating that Baseball is as patriotic as equality. Even if the story does not tell too much, 42 is such a spirited film which works as a feel good tale and a lot of stylish appeal. I walked away from the film inspired by its message and uplifted by its musical score, as well as being amused by the stylish way that the film captures the time period of its setting with such detailed costume design and makeup for the characters as well as scenery and production design to match it. Everything looks good and sounds good in 42, and it's a film which genuinely makes audiences feel good without going at melodramatic roots.

And though 42 tells a huge story, the true essence of it being a befitting tribute to the life of Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson comes from the performance of Chadwick Boseman. As well as embodying the physical capabilities of the baseball star, Chadwick Boseman captures the courage of the man in the face of such wicked oppression. Chadwick Boseman has the self-respect of Muhammed Ali in the role and delivers his lines with restrained yet passionate dramatic charisma to match it all. He sparks the energy of the role when he is on the field and keeps his emotions buried within, yet making it clear through minor ticks within his physical actions. Chadwick Boseman is perfectly restrained in the role and charismatic as a result, and his dedication to the demand of subtlety brought on by the character proves to be no challenge for him. His skill in the role comes to him so instinctively due to his determined young spirit and passionate ability to carry the role all the way to the end. Chadwick Boseman's performance in 42 is a breakthrough one which elevated a much deserved career for the star before he played another famous African-American figure in Get On Up.

Harrison Ford plays a character like none other he has ever portrayed in 42. The man has a legacy for playing hard edged adventure heroes, and though he maintains that heroism for 42, it is played completely differently. In 42, Harrison Ford brings his edgy passion to the role of Branch Rickey to befittingly pay tribute to a man who courageously helped to change the face of racism in American culture forever. His role puts everything into the way he expresses his words more than anything, and Harrison Ford speaks with such a bleak passion for changing the world that he comes off as being all too likable. His performance is his greatest in years because he drops his bad boy persona and strips it away for a very character oriented role which gives him a chance to express some true acting without having to pick up a weapon anywhere along the way. Harrison Ford is a delight any time he is on screen in 42 and he expresses some dramatic talents which have lain dormant for far too long by really capturing a passionate edge in the role, gripping the emotional mood of the film with plenty of charisma and sharing impeccable chemistry with the surrounding cast.

Alan Tudyk does a brilliant job playing against type in 42. His role limits his most common word to being the racist term n*gger, and yet every time he says it he is so deep in character that it is far from repetitive. John C. McGinley is also a welcome presence, and Lucas Black's natural accent and friendly demeanour make him a charming addition to the cast in 42.

So thanks to excellent performances from Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford as well as an undeniable patriotic spirit, 42 is an inspiring tale of Baseball and civil rights which compensates for its occasional lack of depth with passionate and stylish direction from Brian Helgeland.