Of all the
different film genres out there, the sports drama has been conspicuously absent
over the past few years; sure, Moneyball
and The Fighter were big successes,
but last September’s Trouble with the
Curve barely registered on anyone’s radar.
With the 2013 MLB regular season having just started, moviegoers were
going to be primed for the early April release of 42, a biographical sports drama focusing on one the most famous
players in history. There were no
preconceived notions concerning the relatively unknown Chadwick Boseman’s
portrayal of Jackie Robinson, but with a supporting cast including veterans
like Harrison Ford and Christopher Meloni, hopes for critical success were
understandably high. And, to put it
bluntly, in the face of recent financial disappointments like Jack the Giant Slayer and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Warner
Bros. badly needed 42 to act as a
successful lead-in to the Summer Movie Season.
Between its focus on a revered historical figure, trailers that hinted
at both attitude and heart, and early critical praise, I couldn’t wait to see
everything that 42 had to offer.
Though the
narrative does drag a bit anytime our protagonist leaves the baseball diamond, 42 remains a heartwarming and genuinely
inspiring sports film. Boseman delivers
a capable performance as Jackie Robinson, but there is something restrained in
his performance that lessens his charm whenever he is out of uniform; as it
turns out, his interactions with family and friends pack far less of a punch
than the rapport he builds with teammates.
The real stars of the narrative are Harrison Ford and Christopher
Meloni, both of whom are engrossing as lone wolves determined to turn Robinson
into an ally despite organizational resistance.
And say what you will about overall historical accuracy, 42 still paints a shameful picture of the
bigotry and racism that the legendary Brooklyn Dodger faced (Alan Tudyk’s brief
performance is downright toxic), and that power helps make the positive conclusion
even stronger. This newest baseball
drama may not be perfect, but 42 is
still a remarkably strong film that should be seen by anyone who has ever sat
and enjoyed nine innings of America’s pastime.
Overall
Recommendation: High
