42

As I've mentioned in past reviews, one can usually count on biopics being well written, directed and acted. The list is endless: "Patton", "127 Hours", "The King's Speech", "The Iron Lady", "Hyde Park on Hudson", "MacArthur", "Emperor", "Nixon/Frost", "The Queen", "Julie and Julia", etc. We can now add "42" to that dubious list.

"42" tells the story of two men--the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey--whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.
In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and even other players. Facing incredible racism from all sides, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in the same way he had been treated, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey's hopes of people changing.

Others to round out the cast are Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife, Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, Andre Holland as Wendell Smith, sports writer, Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese, team player of Jackie's, Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker, team player of Jackie's, Alan Tudyk as Ben Chapman, Philadelphia Phillies' manager, Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca, team player of Jackie's, T.R. Knight as Harold Parrott, assistant of Rickey's, John C. McGinley as Red Barber, sports announcer, Max Gail as Burt Shotton, manager who took over for Durocher, Brad Meyer as Kirby Higbe, James Pickens Jr. as Mr. Brock, and Toby Huss as Clyde Sukeforth.

This was incredibly well directed by Brian Helgeland ("Payback" '99, "A Knight's Tale" '01, "The Order" '03). The emotions he was able to extract from his actors to make the impact he was striving for was amazing. It was equally well written by Helgeland as well. And it's no doubt that this guy could not have written a dynamite screenplay. Just a look at his resume will clue you in, ("Highway to Hell" '91, "Assassins" '95, "L.A. Confidential" '97, "Conspiracy Theory" '97, "The Postman" '97, "Payback" '99, "A Knight's Tale" '01, "Blood Work" '02, "Mystic River" '03, "The Order" '03, "Man on Fire" '04, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" '09, "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" '09, "Green Zone" '10, "Robin Hood" '10). The three years this film covers, 1945-47, Helgeland was able to delineate a crisp and clear story through the facts that just kept you riveted to your seat. This is definitely one of Ford's better efforts-- you hardly even recognized him. Boseman as Robinson has a bright future ahead of him, because he simply shined in his characterization.

Whether one is a baseball fan or not, this film will capture your attention, because through the acting, story, facts given and the powerful message laid out here, you will leave the multiplex talking about this for some time to come.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                            Rated: PG-13                             128mins.