I saw the new Jackie Robinson biopic "42" yesterday and I know it's not about the Boston Red Sox but being a huge baseball fan, I'd like to share my review of the movie with you. It was truly a fantastic look back into a time where America wasn't at it's finest. Jackie Robinson's story is an important part of American history and I urge not only baseball fans to watch this movie but for anyone wanting to take a glimpse into a time period that would make any American cringe. Jackie Robinson put up with a lot his first 2 years in the major league baseball and the movie portrayed that beautifully.
Chadwick Boseman was the actor that portrayed Jackie in the film and he did wonderfully. Though a little smaller than the real Jackie Robinson, his portrayal of Jackie's struggles and the love for his wife was fantastic. He nailed Jackie's signature batting stance and the scenes of him terrorizing opposite pitchers on the base paths looked amazingly authentic. The movie really captured just how great Jackie was at getting inside a pitcher's head and disrupting the rhythm of a pitcher.
To me though, Harrison Ford stole the show with his portrayal of Brooklyn Dodger owner Branch Rickey. The look, voice and mannerisms were spot on and you could tell he enjoyed playing the part. Sometimes Harrison Ford will phone in performances but his portrayal Rickey was spot on and his chemistry with Boseman really shined in his scenes mentoring Jackie to not give into the racist taunts from other ball players and managers.
Two other performances stuck out to me as well. Alan Tudyk's portrayal of Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman must have been a very difficult one. There are numerous scenes where Alan has to shout some of the most racist lines ever imaginable. His portrayal of the racist redneck manager was so good that you cringed every time he said something horrible. I don't know how the real Jackie Robinson could have put up with that and not once punched him in the face. He was a bigger man than I could ever be.
John C. McGinley's performance as Dodger radio announcer Red Barber was simply amazing. He nailed the mannerisms, lingo of the era and his dry announcing style that I remember from my visit to the Hall of Fame years ago. They gave John some of Barber's classic quotes to say too such as, "He's running like a bunny with his tail on fire." and "He's tighter than a wet pair of new shoes." Watch John McGinley's performance then go on YouTube and look up Red Barber and tell me John didn't nail the Hall of Fame broadcaster.
The movie has a ton of baseball scenes and I'm happy to report that the actors look like they actually have played the game before. Pitchers look like they've thrown a ball in their life before and batters look like they've swung a bat before. I see far too many baseball movies where the actors look like they've never ever played or even watched baseball before. Yes, I'm looking at you Tim Robbins and Freddie Prinze, Jr.
My favorite parts of the movie where the scenes where they recreated classic ballparks like Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, Crosley Field and Shibe Park. I will buy this movie and watch it over and over again just to see these old parks come to life. They did a great job rendering these ballparks, it was like they were never torn down and you were sitting there watching a game in them. There's something magical about seeing Ebbets Field and Crosley Field. I can't explain it but man do I wish I could have watched a game in some of these classic parks. They were beautiful and must have enhanced the game so much back then.
Overall, I would give the movie an 8 out of 10. Some of the dialogue I found a bit too "in the moment". I doubt these figures were that on point with how much this was going to change the world and major league baseball but the performances and baseball really made you look past all that. Go see "42", you won't be let down. Even if you're not a baseball fan, you will love this movie.
No comments:
Post a Comment