On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) was the first black player to join the major leagues when team executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) asked him to join the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Having to combat the racism of the time, proving himself not only to be a great player, but strong enough to withstand attacks from nearly all sides, Robinson crossed the line from mere sport legend to earning a place in American culture and history.

We say, “It’s good, not great.”

HOWE: I said this last year when we reviewed The Iron Lady: How is it possible to fit someone’s life into a two-hour movie? With 42 they prove yet again it is not really achievable. There are huge sections of time that seem to be missed. For example, when Robinson finds out that his wife is one-month pregnant, the next minute we see him talking to his newborn baby. Did nothing interesting happen during those eight months?

TAYLOR: I think you’ve inadvertently pointed out my problem with this film. What we have here is essentially the same thing happening over and over again. After Jackie becomes a Dodger, he travels with the team, putting up with racism and turning the other cheek (to steal a base) in one town after the next. He has to deal with it even from within his own organization, but this dissipates more quickly than, for example, it does with southern teams. While all of this is true and in keeping with the drama of the story, it becomes a bit dull after awhile.

HOWE: Yeah I get what you’re saying, but there was one bright spark in the movie, Harrison Ford. I found this to be his best performance to date. Maybe that’s because he’s playing someone his own age rather than running around like a teenager with a whip, chasing artifacts and reciting cheesy one liners.

TAYLOR: I did quite enjoy Ford’s performance as Branch Rickey, the man with the plan. I like it when an actor is able to disappear inside a character and I feel Ford succeeds in 42. He changed his look, his voice, his mannerisms. I don’t know if he was portraying the real Branch Rickey to any degree of accuracy, but he was the most interesting he’s been in a long time. I suspect this might even be an opportunity to consider his supporting performance for an Oscar, but it’s still early days. At any rate, as the story behind Jackie’s tribulations was what interested me most about this film, having a strong performance by Ford could only help. It’s certainly not that the other performers we’re exactly lacking and the same could be said for the film itself, it’s just that 42 doesn’t break any new ground.

HOWE: 42 is a fine movie and you don’t have to be a fan of baseball to understand what is going on. Just don’t come crying foul if you expected more from it.

— Taylor gives 42 3.5 pop flies out of 5.

—  Howe gives it 3 bus trips out of 5.

The film is currently showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.

Vernon Morning Star