Historic sports-based biopics always run the risk of sentimentality, especially with a figure like Jackie Robinson. Too often the desire is to show the courage of the subject in the face of hatred and discrimination, while also acknowledging that society has changed (due to the fear of alienating segments of the ticket-buying public), which means we get watered down feel-good odes that bear little resemblance to the harsh realities of the times. So, it is an honor and a privilege to raise a toast to writer-director Brian Helgeland (who penned LA Confidential and directed A Knight’s Tale) for smartly focusing on the relationship between Robinson (Chadwick Boseman who captures the inner turmoil) and Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford). 42 just might be the model by which we judge future sports biopics. Now in theaters. (PG-13) Grade: A
This article appears in Apr 10-16, 2013.
