42

"I don't think it matters what I believe, only what I do."

Filmology Rating: 3.25 out of 4

As a sports-- and particularly baseball-- fan, I was especially excited for 42 to hit theaters, and I was not disappointed.  While this is not my favorite sports movie of all time, it is a solid representation of Jackie Robinson’s major league experiences.  Chadwick Boseman, in his first starring role, did a very nice job of portraying Jackie Robinson, including minute but distinct mannerisms.  Boseman depicts the daily struggles Robinson faced as he and his teammates travelled the country as though he lived them himself.  Harrison Ford provides a catalyst to the story as Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey, playing the stubborn old man convincingly.  With Rickey’s daring, Robinson was able to break the race barrier in major league athletics in 1946.  The dynamics between Ford, Boseman, and other supporting cast members are exciting, and kept me captivated with the storyline.  While I do like the film, it is not perfect by any means.  The plot is jumpy at times, skipping large chunks of time and skimming over personal interactions that could have taken the film in a darker, potentially more realistic, direction.    Overall, however, 42 is a very good film that I feel should be seen by all.

Rating: See It

-Megan