AlthoughChadwick Bosemanhas been most recognized as the Black Panther, he had powerfulperformances in many other roles. Boseman played the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in 2014’sGet on Up, and action hero Andre Davis in 2019’s21 Bridges. But one of his earliest film roles was in the sports biopic,42, where he played baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Despite42receiving positive reviews, the film has flown relatively under people’s radar.
In 1947, Robinson made history as the first Black athlete to play in the MLB. Boseman described Robinson as his “hero,” wearing a hat with the number 42 in his last video post, which was also shared on Jackie Robinson Day. Robinson was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement; not just a baseball player but a true champion for equality. The film42helped tell Robinson’s story, and featured a spectacular performance from Boseman. Here’s why it’s one of Boseman’s best movies.
Honors the Real-Life Jackie Robinson
Biopics have not always been done right, but, fortunately,42managed to hit a home run. The film was confident in the story that it wanted to tell, and sought to honor a real-life hero. Robinson was a human thrown into an extraordinarily challenging environment, with no superpowers other than his courage. He started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, winning the Rookie of the Year Award that same year.
With an incredible batting record, Robinson had six All-Star appearances in his Major League career. He became a Dodgers MVP during a time when people didn’t want him because of the color of his skin. Like almost any other biopic,42had several historical inaccuracies, including getting the location wrong for where the Dodgers began their 1947 spring training. However, Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, was involved in the production of42and expressed her appreciation of Boseman’s work ethic and strong desire to do the role justice. She described Boseman as having a lot of the “dignity” and “humility” that her husband had (viaNew York Daily News).
Related:Black Panther 2 Director Details Final Conversation with Chadwick Boseman
Great Chemistry Between Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford
Without Branch Rickey, Robinson would never have been able to play in the Major Leagues. Rickey was responsible for signing Robinson, a move that led to the end of the baseball color line. It was a time when racial segregation was commonplace, with black athletes being excluded and forced to play in their own leagues. Branch Rickey,portrayed by Harrison Fordin42, was instrumental in bringing down some of the color barriers.
As expected by both Rickey and Robinson, Robinson signing with the Dodgers was met with immense backlash. When Robinson asked if Rickey was looking for someone who was afraid to fight back, Rickey responded by saying he wanted a player with the guts “not to fight back.” This exchange was presented in42, highlighting the great chemistry between Boseman and Ford. Even outside these two actors,42had a fantastic supporting cast, featuring the likes of Nicole Beharie, Lucas Black, and Christopher Meloni.
Robinson had to endure abuse and even death threats, but his resilience paved the way for his success and many black athletes after him. As the only Black athlete making his debut at the time, he was under enormous pressure to succeed. Fortunately, he found support and friendship from fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese. The real-life Robinson also shared that Rickey had treated him “like a son” (viaBaseball Hall).
Related:How King T’Challa’s Death in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Honors Chadwick Boseman
So Much More Than a Story About Baseball
There has been alot of baseball moviesreleased since the 90s, such asRookie of the Year,The Rookie,Million Dollar Arm, andMoneyball. Usually, they have tried to tell heartwarming, inspirational stories, and42was no exception. While42relied on the traditional sports drama formula, it has been a tried-and-true formula that has proved it works. The result was a film that anyone could watch, regardless of their prior knowledge of baseball.
42was not just about a baseball MVP; it was a story about incredible perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. The film did not shy away from its racial issues, at least within the confines of its PG-13 rating. Of course, Robinson dealt with far more aggressive racial discrimination in real-life.42did not portray anywhere near the full extent of his struggles, but succeeded in showing some of what Robinson had to go through. This, in turn, generated interest in learning more about Robinson through his biography and documentaries.
Robinson was a remarkable figure in baseball, American, and human history. In his honor, the MLB retired Robinson’s uniform number 42 in 1997 (via MLB.com). However, every year on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15th), athletes and on-field personnel wear No. 42 to honor his legacy.
