42

2013 • 128 minutes
4.6
3.47K reviews
81%
Tomatometer
PG-13
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color line. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting, instead letting his talent on the field do the talking-ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 for all teams, making it the first number in sports to be universally retired.
Rating
PG-13

Ratings and reviews

4.6
3.47K reviews
Emily Jordan
March 29, 2014
I found 42 to be disappointing. Instead of a well-rounded story, with intricate, complex characters, the story was flat and the characters two-dimensional. This would be a fine movie to teach teenagers about integration at the end of the Jim-Crown era, but it's not a great artistic movie.
7 people found this review helpful
Kameron Smalls
October 18, 2013
When it first premiered, my sister told me not to waste my time (gave it a HORRIBLE review) on this movie so I skipped it. At the time I hadn't yet discovered the brilliance that is Nicole Beharie; if I had, I would've seen it regardless. Once I did, I knew I had to see "42" for myself and I'm glad I did! Nicole Beharie's performance does not disappoint! The story is VERY well told, cinematography is pretty awesome as well. Harrison's Ford performance is great, as is Boseman' s. Often times the acting carries the project in genres like this, but this really is just an all-around great film. I'd call this a must see. The lifetime softball player in me wishes there were more scenes of Robinson playing :O) but I survived with what I was given. If you haven't seen this, please do. Then catch Nicole Beharie in Sleepy Hollow on Fox! Other great actors in this film: T.R. Knight, James Pickens, Jr., Christopher Meloni--all do an amazing job.
195 people found this review helpful
Vincent Meglis
July 19, 2013
I'm a huge baseball fan, not only of the game today, but it's history. I believe that Jackie Robinson and Branch Ricky did more for this wonderful sport than anyone ever dior will. What that poor man had to endure during those first three years and really beyond that is truly remarkable. It 66,, goes to show how ignorant a lot of people in this country were, and still are. This is a movie that shouldn't be missed and should be shown in classrooms all across the nation. Jackie is and always will be my hero!
118 people found this review helpful