The Current Cinema: 42 (2013)
42
Written and Directed by Brian Helgeland. Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Melooni, Ryan Merriman, Lucas Black. Released April 12, 2013. 121 minutes.
The true story of Jackie Robinson, the first African American ball player to enter the major leagues, is a study of triumph and survival that is inspiring to anyone. Unfortunately, it is also prone to being presented on film with a by-the-numbers manipulation peppered with occasional eye-rolling sentimentality. It renders the movie as, arguably, not as impactful as the low budget indie programmer "The Jackie Robinson Story" (1950) in which Robinson played himself. Where the earlier B-movie is streamlined, this two hour opus comes off every bit as much a cinematic press release.
It is not without merit. The performance of Chadwick Boseman as Robinson is earnest and focused, while Harrison Ford steals every scene with his veteran approach to Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey. Anchored and unwavering, Ford snarls and growls his dialog, purses his mouth to one side, and slouches whether seated or standing with an accuracy to the actual Rickey that is quite remarkable. There are scenes where the succession of shots, the framing of the action, and the use of light and darkness make the visuals most effective. But the film is fraught with awestruck dialog, a sweeping, and distracting, orchestral score, and a lot of throwaway scenes that slow down the tempo.
During its most ineffective moments, the film fluctuates from a sanitized presentation of Robinson and his wife, to having a random white guy approach the couple in a threatening manner, but only to say he's "pulling for him." "42" was directed by Brian Helgeland, whose credits as a screenwriter include such significant productions as "LA. Confidential" and "Mystic River," but who only directed nine movies. His journeyman direction of this film is effective in telling the story, but offers little in the way of real vision or nuance. "42" is not a bad movie. It just isn't very good.