By Mackenzie Linehan
Staff Writer
The movie “42” is a film that will leave you in awe as the credits roll. The film, based on a true story, shows how the well-known baseball player Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman, TV show “Lincoln Heights”) changed the game of baseball forever. The title “42” hearkens back to Robinson’s first jersey number.
In baseball today, Mariano Rivera is the last out of several players to rep this number in the major leagues. It shows just how long of a way we have come as a nation since him.
Robinson became the first African-American to play in the major leagues when he was signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers by team executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford, “Cowboys and Aliens”) in 1946. The movie takes place during a time when racial prejudice was at an all-time high — when there were “whites only” signs on bathrooms and water fountains and Caucasians had only disgust on their faces whenever they laid eyes on someone of color.
Jackie Robinson was one of the best players to ever play in the major leagues, but no one seemed to be able to look past the color of his skin to notice how great he was. There were things thrown at him on the field, snide comments shot at him as he was arriving and leaving the stadium, and a pitcher purposely threw a pitch at his head when he was at plate.
Despite the harassment that Robinson, his family and Rickey had to endure, he was determined to play to the best of his ability during every game. His hard work and courage made all the difference in the end. He silenced the critics, gained more of a fan base, and finally started gaining respect from his teammates. All of Robinson’s passion and inspiring tenacity is showcased in the film.
His fellow players on the team along with his fans no longer just looked at him as an African-American, but as a heroic player who paved the way for others like him to follow.
I have grown up watching baseball, but I did not know a lot about Jackie Robinson before watching this movie. It didn’t matter though, because it is a movie that anyone can enjoy.
I’m not much of a crier, but the movie brought me to tears. The way Branch Rickey took a stand against all odds by signing Robinson and the courage that Robinson portrays even in dark times of his career was truly a remarkable thing to watch. This movie is truly inspirational, and definitely a must-see
