42

“You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back?”
“No. I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.”

This week’s film tells the true story of baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s rise to fame as one of the first African American players in Major League Baseball.

It’s the 1940’s, and although it’s not illegal or against any official rules, Major League Baseball excludes any African Americans from playing, until the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers decides to sign the talented and fiercely competitive athlete Jackie Robinson (played by Chadwick Boseman) to the team.

But if he’s to be an effective team member or change anyone’s mind about his right to play, he’ll have to restrain himself from shouting or fighting back at all the prejudice that’s to inevitably come his way, whether it’s coming from angry audiences or fellow team members. He must channel his focus to the field, ultimately changing minds through his behavior.

42 offers an inspiring look at the iconic Robinson, who changed baseball history and national perceptions of segregation through his courage, talent, persistence, and willingness to meet hostility with peace. Due to some intense drama and strong language, including racial epithets, the film is rated PG-13 and is more appropriate for older viewers.

Runtime: 2 hours, 8 minutes
Rated PG-13
81% on Rotten Tomatoes
IMDb Parents Guide
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