The 42 film review

The 42 film review

The 42 film is an American biopic film that dramatizes the life of historically based individuals in sports produced in 2013 directed by Helgeland Brian revolving around the racial process of fitting into the American professional baseball team by Robinson Jackie a player who wore jersey 42 in his league career (Media, Historian & History, 2018). The film begins with Rickey looking for ways to win the national league pennant. Being the Dodger general manager for about three years, his aim was to steal the thunder from their rivals the New York Giants but most importantly from the Cardinals, a team he had built 20 years ago through player development in minor league systems (Johnson, 2018). The relationship between Jackie and his wife as well as that one between Rickey and Robinson are key elements in the film as they are responsible for the tension and chaos endured from the time period they have been placed by the historical significance. The aim of this paper is to review the 42 films and its relation to racial segregation in the twentieth century.

Johnson, (2018) asserts that from Robinson’s face, one can read his anger and pain as he aims to concentrate on his at-bat having in mind that going after Chapman the headlined will be about the first black player attacking the opposition in the major league rather than being about the hateful manager. Other actors such as Alan bravely portray their real-life incarnation of pure ignorance, racism, as well as hatred. For Robinson, his performance is a must despite the weight of instant history on his shoulders or the hectoring by racists such as Chapman. The sliding ethics scale at the moment was that the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers was halted temporarily for an entire season with the accusation having an affair with an actress who was married unlike for Chapman who was only told to cease with the racial mocking remarks (Media, Historian & History, 2018).

According to Media, Historian & History, (2018).42 acts as a reminder of how Black Americans fought endlessly and also died for their country during the second world war only to return home and find a country with separate fountains for drinking water as well as a ban restricting Negroes from participating in major leagues. In addition, the heckling of Robinson and several of his teammates in signing a petition restricting Robinson from joining the Dodgers are among the many scenes of racism in the film as he was the first black player in a team of whites (Johnson, 2018). A picture of Robinson and Chapman was taken to show the entire world that Chapman had changed despite the number of times he had bullied Robinson and whether or not he had changed. The bullies had gone to a point of making Robinson lose it only for a teammate to stand up for him.

Rickey the manager of the Brooklyn national league makes a decision of hiring the first black player for his team in the season in 1947 (Media, Historian & History, 2018). By selecting Robinson, he feels that he can bear the brutality as well as racism he’ll face from the fans, opponents, manager, teammates as well as the press. Despite all the challenges, his biggest achievement was to ignore the abuse and prove to the world of his place in the field with his skills. Starting in the Negro leagues, Robinson is able to play for the minor leagues of the Montreal Royals and Kansas City Monarchs before joining the major league Brooklyn Dodgers (Johnson, 2018). For purposes of guidance through tolerance, Robinson was accompanied by his wife who was faithful to him and a reporter, Smith Wendell. This was to show some mercy to the destruction of 60 years of racial separation in baseball.

Johnson, (2018), is convinced that Rachel Robinson was a determined warrior and a civil rights activist in the fight for racial equality serving as Robinson’s anchor during his time of trial. Robinson’s courage acts as an inspiration to both white as well as black Americans and aid in igniting the upcoming civil rights movement. The film illustrates the brutality and effects of racism as well as heroism of the individuals who seek to overcome the troubling character traits of the American Society in the current century (Media, Historian & History, 2018). Among the themes brought out in the film, an important theme is the importance of relationships between people with Robinson as the appropriate candidate. His strong marriage is presented as a true love story as Robinson calls Rachel his heart not only the love of his life but also the source of his strength during troubling times.

In conclusion, the film brings forth a critical time in the struggle for racial equality in the United States of America with actors not only tested by humility but also endurance. It portrays the cruel act of racial separation as well as the bravery of civil rights activists. Robinson gets yelled at hatefully by the fans and players and gets taunted by a vicious opposing manager through insults.in addition, receives death threats through hundreds of letters. Like a civil rights activist, Robinson handles this trauma with sheer bravery and quiet persistence. For this reason, young children especially black children view him as a role model whose words and deeds are worth imitating. Rickey informs Robinson of white kids pretending to be like him while playing, a hope and sign of the end of racism in the near future.

References

Johnson, T. (2018). 42: A Movie Review. Retrieved from https://historyrat.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/42-a-movie-review/

Media, F., Historian, T., & History, 1. (2018). 42 (2013) – Not Even Past. Retrieved from https://notevenpast.org/review-42-2013/