What would you do if someone told you they would fund your dream job and give you everything you ever asked in this job, but the catch is that you have to employ every hater you ever had in your entire life. You'd have to work with every person who'd ever hurt your feelings or pushed your buttons. AND, you couldn't fire them or fight back. Could you handle that? Could you stick with it to live your dream? This is the question the movie 42 asks. It's a biographical drama about Jackie Robinson's entrance into the Major Baseball League.
Jackie Robinson was the first black man in baseball back in 1947 which at the time was known as a white man's sport. Based on the movie, he was hired to eventually join the Brooklyn Dodgers and help change the face of baseball quietly without fighting those who would, by any means necessary, try to discourage him from playing. He and his teammates had to endure death threats, racists players on and off his team, discrimination at hotels and restaurants not wanting their patronage, not to mention the crowd at games who would boo, hiss, and use racial slurs when Robinson took the field; all while attempting to hold it in and play the game. What strength! I don't think I could do it.
This movie was a good look into what he faced though very surface and not in depth at all showing nothing anyone who's ever studied Jim Crow Laws and racism in America didn't know. What it did do is inspire using baseball. It depicted Jackie's strength, agility, love, and passion for his family, his race, and his sport. I actually was intrigued and entertained by baseball when watching the games It helped me understand what good baseball is like. I'm a football girl. It's the only ball sport that I truly 100% enjoy and baseball is my least favorite of all sports on the planet. I find it extremely boring and slow, but there wasn't one ounce of boredom in 42. Jackie Robinson's skills were very exciting!!! It made me wish I was there when all of this was happening to see it in person.
There were few stars in the movie. Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey was phenomenal, and was the biggest name of them all. He really transformed himself. I almost forgot it was him. He showed no signs of Indiana Jones, Hans Solo, or Harrison Ford for that matter. Jackie Robinson was played by little known actor Chadwick Boseman. He did a great job showing emotion and athleticism, and I hope to see his handsome chocolaty self on the screen more often. There were a couple of Grey's Anatomy stars past and present in the film. TR Knight and James "The Chief" Pickens, Jr made appearances. Solid cast for a solid movie.
The movie 42 was very enjoyable movie. I learned some things and was intrigued to search out more information on others. The movies this year have been pretty entertaining, and this one can be added to the list. If you are a baseball fan, you'll love it, and if you're not...you'll have a good time too. Oh, and AMC is giving away free small popcorn this weekend only, because we all know you have to take out a loan to go to the movies these days, so enjoy this freebie. Click on the link: free popcorn
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