In 1945, soldiers return to America from fighting tyranny in Europe. When they get home, though, they find a different kind of tyranny permeating the United States: racism. A clear line has been drawn between colored and white people, but that spring and summer, Branch Rickey decides to break through the line of colored and white baseball. In other words, he does the "unthinkable": he chooses a black man to play on a white baseball team.42 tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the first colored man to play baseball with white men. It currently has the best premiere for a baseball movie in Hollywood history. It also earned $27.3 million dollars on the opening weekend. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, and Nicole Beharie as Rachel "Ray" Robinson.
SUMMARY
After World War II, Jackie Robinson has joined a black baseball team. He and his teammates are traveling to Chicago for the next game, when Jackie is approached for a position with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. It turns out that Dodgers owner Branch Rickey has decided to cross the barrier between white and black baseball. Jackie accepts the position, naturally, and then soon marries Ray Isum.
Spring training begins, and Rickey sees to it that Robinson is treated fairly. Jackie begins playing with Brooklyn's franchise farm team in Montreal. Eventually he makes it to the Dodgers, but their manager is suspended due to an affair.
As the movie continues, Jackie must face harsh verbal abuses and cold treatment (as well as physical abuse on the field) from others, including some Dodgers’ fans. The film ends with a climatic game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
CONTENT
There is a fair amount of violence, probably just right for a PG-13 film. In one scene, Jackie is hit in the head with a fastball. In another scene, a player cuts his leg with his cleat. The violence is not graphic, but younger children might still be frightened since it is in a "real-world" setting.
In one scene, it is implied that the Dodgers' manager is committing adultery (Rickey rebukes him by telling him the Bible condemns adultery), though he is later punished for this. There are a few kissing scenes between Jackie and his wife Ray. Also, there are two parts when the players are shown showering, but the camera only shows from chest upwards. 
The language is not as heavy as many PG-13 movies, but it is still definitely present. There are some uses of d***, h***, b****, among others (including a few uses of God's name). The language comes primarily from Dodgers’ owner Branch Rickey. Apart from the swear words, insults are hurled at Jackie, including one where someone mentions his "thick monkey skull."
42 was a really good baseball movie, despite some inappropriate content. Apart from his language, I thought Harrison Ford did a great job as Rickey. Also, it was refreshing to see a film where the wrongs of segregation are portrayed rightly, but not necessarily shoved in your face.
There are lots of good aspects about the film: wonderful acting, great music, and good moral lessons. While it is not a film for all ages, it is a good movie for those who enjoy baseball or history.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 128 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements including language)
Director: Brian Helgeland
Producers: Thomas Tull, Kurt Russell
Music: Mark Isham
Year of release: 2013
Primary audience: Teens, adults (though pre-teens could probably handle most of the film)
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