42 (film)

42 (film)
source
Name	42
Director	Brian Helgeland
Producer	Thomas Tull
Writer	Brian Helgeland
Starring	Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Merriman
Music	Mark Isham
Cinematography	Don Burgess
Editing	Kevin Stitt, Peter McNulty
Studio	Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros.
Released	April 12, 2013
Runtime	128 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$40 million
Gross	$97.5 million

42 (film) is a 2013 American biographical sports drama film written and directed by Brian Helgeland, based on the life of Jackie Robinson, who broke the color line in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, under the guidance of team president Branch Rickey. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson, Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher, and Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker. The film also features Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese, Alan Tudyk as Ben Chapman, and Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca.

Plot

The film tells the story of Jackie Robinson's historic signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, and his first season with the team in 1947, under the leadership of Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher. The film explores the challenges faced by Jackie Robinson as he broke the color line in Major League Baseball, including racism, hostility, and death threats from fans, players, and coaches, such as Ben Chapman and Dixie Walker. The film also highlights the support and friendship that Jackie Robinson received from teammates like Pee Wee Reese and Ralph Branca, as well as his wife Rachel Robinson and Branch Rickey. The film features several key games and events from the 1947 season, including the Brooklyn Dodgers' games against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds, and the World Series against the New York Yankees.

Production

The film was produced by Thomas Tull and Dick Cook, and was written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who is known for his work on films like L.A. Confidential and Mystic River. The film was shot on location in several cities, including Atlanta, Georgia, Macon, Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and features a mix of period architecture and computer-generated imagery. The film's score was composed by Mark Isham, who has worked on films like Crash and The Conspirator. The film's cinematography was handled by Don Burgess, who has worked on films like Forrest Gump and Cast Away.

Cast

The film features a talented cast, including Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson, Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher, and Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker. The film also features Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese, Alan Tudyk as Ben Chapman, and Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca. Other notable cast members include T.R. Knight as Harold Parrott, Jesse Luken as Eddie Stanky, and C.J. Nitkowski as Johnny Sain. The film's cast also includes several baseball players, including C.C. Sabathia and Bobby Cox, who appear as themselves.

Release

The film was released on April 12, 2013, by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, and was distributed to over 3,000 theaters in the United States and Canada. The film was also released in several other countries, including United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. The film's release was accompanied by a significant marketing campaign, which included trailers, TV spots, and promotional partnerships with Major League Baseball and several baseball teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. The film's release was also supported by several charity events and fundraising campaigns, including a partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford, as well as the film's historical accuracy and attention to detail. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 79%, based on reviews from over 200 critics, and a Metacritic score of 62, based on reviews from over 40 critics. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $97 million at the box office, against a budget of $40 million. The film's success was recognized with several awards and nominations, including an NAACP Image Award for Chadwick Boseman and a Teen Choice Award for Harrison Ford.

Historical_accuracy

The film is based on the true story of Jackie Robinson's historic signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers and his first season with the team in 1947. The film's script was researched and written in consultation with Rachel Robinson and several other baseball historians, including Doris Kearns Goodwin and Roger Angell. The film's attention to historical detail was praised by many critics, including Roger Ebert, who noted that the film "gets the facts right" and "captures the spirit of the times". However, some critics also noted that the film takes some creative liberties with the story, including the portrayal of Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers' management. Despite these criticisms, the film is widely regarded as one of the most accurate and respectful portrayals of Jackie Robinson's life and legacy, and has been recognized with several awards and nominations for its historical accuracy and attention to detail. Category:Biographical sports drama films