Playing it safe

For those who know what a big baseball fan I am should not be surprised to hear that the first movie I've managed to see at the theater features the story of one of the most important figures of America's pastime. 42 tells us the trials and tribulations that Jackie Robinson faced as he became the first African American player to play in the Major Leagues. Relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman stars as Robinson and does an impressive job of portraying this complex, engaging figure. Through his performance we learn why Robinson not only had the skills to play professional baseball, but the resolve to be able to endure the extreme levels of prejudice he faced by breaking that color barrier.

The film primarily centers around the years of Robinson's initial entry into baseball. This proves to be a double-edged sword. While it makes the storytelling more focused, it also limits the story. I would have appreciated to learn more about Robinson's youth. Both to see the difficulties he faced growing up and also to see how he gained his athletic skills. After a quick montage covering the events that led to the end of World War II, we are thrust right into Robinson playing for the Negro leagues. The film also ends before Robinson won a World Series, which seems like the typical Hollywood way to finish the story.

The depiction of those events may have helped because what is presented turns out to be a relatively thin, simplistic story. Given that we know he successfully crossed that color barrier, the adversity and hatefulness he deals with because of his race become a bit repetitive. The fragmented way that these trials are depicted prevent the film from having any dramatic heft. It seemed clear that the film wanted to be as honest in its portrayal of Robinson as it could. As far as I could tell, they get all of their baseball history correct. Writer and director Brian Helgeland should be commended for providing us with a historically accurate film, it's just a shame that the story he told couldn't have been more compelling or deep.

Where the film lacks in a compelling narrative, it certainly makes up for in acting. For the first time in a long while, Harrison Ford gives a performance that does not feel phoned in. Playing Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, Ford nails each of his scenes causing an added level of electricity to the film whenever he was on screen. I also really appreciated the performance by Nicole Beharie, who plays Jackie's wife, Rachel. She has terrific chemistry with Boseman and also shows us why Rachel Robinson was such an important presence in Jackie's life. You also get fine work from a number of supporting actors including Alan Tudyk, playing a nasty racist who also manages the Phillies. Tudyk is known mostly for good guy roles, but he lets it all hang out here in displaying the type of bigotry that Jackie too often had to deal with when playing baseball.

For as much as I would have liked a deeper story, it's tough to really dislike this film. Robinson's story is so uplifting that you can't help but be inspired by seeing what he overcame. And if you're a baseball fan, watching a film like this can also reaffirm your love for the game. You can see that Branch Rickey brought Robinson in not as a stunt or to be a pioneer, but simply because he believed in having the best players having the chance to play this game. This is a movie to see not as a critic, but just as fan of baseball or inspiring stories.

There will probably be very few films this year that will make me feel as good leaving the theater as 42 did. I can look past a lot of its flaws and appreciate finally seeing one of the game's greatest figures have his story told on the big screen. I don't see how anyone couldn't have a good time watching this movie. I believe the fact that the audience that I saw this with gave the film a round of applause after it was over, despite the fact that the movie is now three weeks old shows you the power it has to move viewers. Do yourself a favor, grab some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and enjoy this heartwarming tale of the old ball game. Grade: B

2013 Movie Preview (#24 - 19)

#24. 42 (April 12)

Plot: 42 will star Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (What Lies Beneath, Air Force One, Witness) as the innovative Dodger's general manager Branch Rickey, the MLB executive who first signed baseball great Jackie Robinson to the minors and then helped to bring him up to the show, and Chadwick Boseman (The Express) as Robinson, the heroic African American who was the first man to break the color line in the big leagues. The film also stars Nicole Beharie (Shame) as Rachel Isum, who would become Robinson's wife, as well as Christopher Meloni (upcoming Man of Steel) and T.R. Knight (TV's Grey's Anatomy).

Personal Opinion: As you no doubt know, I'm a baseball fan so anytime a new film about America's pasttime hits the screen I'm instantly interested. The fact that this one is about one of the most prolific players in baseball's history makes it all the more appealing. Based on the trailer that came out this past fall, it seems like this one could feature some very good performances including Ford as Branch Rickey. Oscar films don't usually come out in the spring, but this one may end up being an exception.


#23. Runner Runner (September 27)

Plot: A dramatic thriller based in the world of offshore online gaming and dealing with the tense relationship between the business' owner and his younger protege.

Personal Opinion: After Argo, nobody is hotter right now than Ben Affleck. Though he is not directing this film, I'm still excited to see what he does as a follow-up. Pairing him with Justin Timberlake who's acting career is on the rise gives this film quite the duo. Though there's nothing new about films dealing with competitive rivalries in business, the online gaming aspect of the plot makes this feel like something fresh and original.


#22. Delivery Man (October 4)

Plot: From DreamWorks Pictures comes "Delivery Man," the story of affable underachiever David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn), whose mundane life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered 533 children through sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things couldn't look worse for David when he is hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor. As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

Personal Opinion: The story here has a lot of potential. The key will be the direction they take this story. If the comedy is too broad, then this could be a disaster. There's also a risk of the film being too serious. But if it strikes the right tone this could be a real comedic gem. Known for his fast-talking charm, Vince Vaughn seems like a good choice to play this 'delivery man'.


#21. RED 2 (August 2)

Plot: "RED 2" brings back the team of retired CIA operatives as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies all across Europe.

Personal Opinion: The first film was a surprising treat. It found the proper balance of humor and action while also giving us the joy of seeing these older people having the fun typically engaged in by actors half their age. The key question here though is whether or not there will be Bruce Willis fatigue after the new Die Hard and the G.I. Joe sequel comes out earlier in the year.


#20. The To Do List (August 16)

Plot: Starring Aubrey Plaza ("Safety Not Guaranteed"), "The To Do List" follows the story of Brandy Klark (Plaza), a Type-A, overachiever who comes up with a "to-do list" featuring all the risque extra-curricular activities she missed out on in high school and wants to complete before college. Rachel Bilson ("Hart of Dixie"), Bill Hader ("Men In Black 3"), Andy Samberg ("Saturday Night Live"), Scott Porter ("The Good Wife"), Connie Britton ("American Horror Story"), Clark Gregg ("The Avengers"), Christopher Mintz-Plasse ("Superbad"), Donald Glover ("Community"), Johnny Simmons ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"), Sarah Steele ("Please Give") and Alia Shawkat ("The Oranges") co-star in the film.

Personal Opinion: I make no pretenses that this will be a small indie comedy that most people won't see, but that doesn't my interest in it in the least. What's not to like about a film that features a cast like the one listed above. Aubrey Plaza proved in Safety Not Guaranteed that she has leading woman capabilities. If this film earns any sort of recognition, she could easily cement that status. If not, then at the very least, this will be harmless comedy that will serve as a nice way to enjoy the final days of summer.


#19. White House Down (June 28)

Plot: The storyline concerns a para-military takeover of the White House.

Personal Opinion: Though it's not indicated above, this film is being directed by Roland Emmerich, which will likely mean that this will be one big, noisy mess of a film and yet somehow I'm still intrigued by it. A White House takeover is a plot that hasn't been overdone and when done right, like it was on 24, it can make for a very compelling story. While he doesn't do much for me, the fact that Channing Tatum, after the big year he just had, is in the cast can only help its cause.