In the last year, it has been a difficult task to find new Hollywood flicks that have even attempted to create a "wow factor" and provide a feeling of money well spent. When I was flying to Switzerland, I got to see Abraham Lincoln, and needless to say, Daniel Day Lewis is a genius in this film. Abraham Lincoln is an iconic and inspiring American president, his quotes and belief in change drove him to be assassinated by Southern white folks that gained their wealth off the lands of Native Americans and the tears of African Americans.
Any threat to these early immigrants upper class status often warrants outrage and hatred directed at some quote/unquote "minority groups" and the original inhabitants of the land. Currently, a tragic bombing has occurred at the Boston Marathon, and what will be even worse is the future treatment of Muslim individuals in USA. I can imagine in these communities there is fear, for America needs a scapegoat to justify the death of innocent American citizens. However, during the years of segregation and draconian law in the states that created separation and pitted "white" people as a superior race, it was fair game on Native or African Americans.
Looking for inspiration during an uninspiring long Saskatchewan winter, I decided to attend the
Hollywood picture, 42. Jackie Robinson has always been a hero of mine, a man that encountered the brunt of America's rage against it's African American citizens. Post World War 2 and the apparent end of Facism did not deter countries from continuing on with Jim Crow law. Measures were still in place to segregate, intimidate and keep inferior those determined less then the "white elite".
After my latest Hollywood victory, watching Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook. The inspiring and intense acting of Cooper & Lawrence, not to mention the veteran savvy of a Robert de Niro, the cinematography and professionalism created a Hollywood masterpiece. In that case, I had high expectations for 42 and waited for opening weekend to be inspired
and motivated to create change in this world.
Robinson had a larger then life responsibility, much like Nelson Mandela using Rugby to unite a South African apartheid system; Jackie Robinson was a social experiment by General Manager Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a testing of the strong racial divisions that existed in America. Robinson's introduction into the Montreal Royals, a minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, tested the fabric of society.
In the movie, the viewer gets a Hollywood feeling of a lovely family man (which Robinson was) in an uncomfortable situation. The racial tensions are lightened by seeing a supportive African American community, a minor league coach that quickly comes around and amazing play that immediately impresses the teammates and wins their affection. The racial tensions are
encountered when a police officer kicks Robinson out of a game for being black, this transpires into Robinson joking on the street with his wife while another white gentlemen walks up looking irritated. In an intense moment, the viewer is led to believe that this gentleman is going to cause trouble for Robinson, instead he states that he is rooting for Jackie and that most of the folks are cheering for him.
This is a recurring theme, as a racially intense moment occurs, we are brought back to humorous light-hearted moments, or the portrayal of Caucasian counterparts that defend, or want Robinson to succeed.
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| Signing the Contract |
Robinson is then called up to the big team, the Brooklyn Dodgers, assisted by the assistant coach, he learns how to play first base. It must be considered that Robinson's failure, or poor play might have set back the push for civil rights, or African/White relations in America. There is no option for him to fail, his own community and the African American community needed a 1940's hero, one that can be compared to a Harriet Tubman. Robinson is on this level, the movie does not portray the true hatred he would have encountered from his team mates, umpires, fans, or opposing team mates, but it attempts to capture moments of discrimination in a comedic light hearted method.
As Robinson is training to be on the Dodgers, his team mates start a petition to have him thrown off the team. This sparks the true character of Manager Rickey, who informs Lou the head coach in a rather humorous dialogue to tune those boys in. The manager provides a late night passionate, slightly humorous speech informing the players Jackie is the first of many, so they better start playing, or their jobs will be taken.
During Robinson's play with the Dodgers, he encounters moments from an opposing coach on the Phillies,
who taunts Robinson at every turn. He uses offensive language, this is a moment when the audience feels tension and we see Jackie break down for the first time in the film. Not surprising, but this being the first time is impressive, but it allows the viewer for the first time to truly feel Jackie's pain. However, General Manager Rickey appears to be the only one concerned and offers Jackie a passionate speech. Robinson then responds just in time to take the field.
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| Alan Tudyk as Phillies Coach |
During his next at bat, the opposing coach again starts in on Jackie with racial taunts, this sparks a time out moment and a fellow team mate of Robinson's to have enough. He walks over to the coach and let's him have it, to where the coach stops the taunting allowing Robinson to hit a lazy off field single. However, with Jackie's blazing speed and unorthodox base running, he is able to successfully steal second and third base, eventually being hit in by his teammate for the winning run, with Jackie providing a victorious glare at the opposing coach.
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| Malcolm X |
This Hollywoodized undermining of racial tensions in 42 is expected, Hollywood is in the capatalist world of making enormous profits. In an independent film their would have been more emphasis on the political ramifications of Jackie Robinson's bravery. He is iconic in the sense he opened the door for other players of African decent, but he also inspired civil rights movements and important leaders like Martin Luther King Jr,
Malcolm X and Rosa Parks. These leaders would also have an effect on civil rights in Canada, as many Aboriginal leaders would take example from King Jr and Malcolm X.
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| Martin Luther King Jr |
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| Rosa Parks |
This Hollywood picture does offer justice at the end by announcing where the players ended up and low an behold the racist coach of the Phillies was fired the year after. As well, the only player that never came around to accepting Jackie, other then the one pitcher traded to Shittsburgh (oops I mean Pittsburgh) in an ironic twist was also traded to Pittsburgh, which provided a final laugh.
Another important aspect of the movie is provided when Manager Rickey has a meeting with concerned future Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reece informing the Manager that he can not play at his hometown of Cincinatti because his family will see him play with an African player. He received a note from a fan stating he was a newly acquired N word lover and this concerned Reece deeply. However, Rickey in one of many passionate discussions displayed the letters sent to Robinson threatening the life of his family, this act itself inspired Reece in front of his hometown crowd to run up to Jackie and provide a powerful gesture of wrapping his arm around Jackie and in a strong southern accent provides Jackie with hope.
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| Reece sharing a moment with Jackie in front of his hometown Cincinnati fans |
Another light hearted scene is when one of Jackie's more liberal teammates approaches him sitting outside waiting to use the shower. Hilarity ensues when at the persuading of his teammate, he inquires if Jackie would shower with him, this slightly awkward exchange becomes more hilarious as awkwardness prevails. However, Jackie decides it is time to shower with his team, it is a very liberating moment as it portrays the move from discomfort to comfort, but there is a reluctant teammate beside Jackie that immediately ends his shower, portraying that not all teammates had fully accepted Jackie. This being the same teammate that Jackie almost got into a physical confrontation with when they were refused a hotel in Philadalphia.
Overall, the movie 42 is an inspiring brief cinematic glimpse into the life of an iconic American figure. It provides light hearted humor, while attempting to capture the racial tensions. This is a great family oriented movie, or even a movie to take the significant other too. It encompasses baseball, friendship, family and the struggle for equality and equity in a racially divided world. The movie fails in portraying the real racial tensions that were encountered by Jackie Robinson. In lieu of the audience, the movie provides a lot of white heroes and humor that deflects uncomfortable racial moments. However, can anything less be expected from Hollywood?
Chadwick Boseman plays a great rendition of Jackie Robinson, physically matching the part, he also provides a sense of emotion in the character that allows the audience to sympathize with Mr. 42. Harrison Ford portrays General Manager Branch Rickey and really puts on a performance, always in character and inspiring. The supporting cast also had some notables mixed with new comers to the Hollywood scene, but all gelled together well. I would rank this film a 8 out of 10, mostly for inspiration, acting and creating a positive emotional feeling. I believe it failed slightly in capturing the immense difficulty that Robinson encountered, unllike Maris who was played by Barry Pepper in *61, in that film one could feel the stress that Maris was encountering while chasing Ruth's home run record (much more conflict) with the same positive ending and light hearted humor.
"A movie to go see for those needing a positive inspiring pick me up from the real world"
Roy Pogorzelski
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