Long before baseball was the favorite American pastime it is today, there was an unwritten rule that left a dark cloud of hostility over the field.
White men don’t play ball with black men.
Currently a box office hit, “42” explores the deep consequences of this barrier and the strength required to overcome it.
The movie begins in 1947, when Jim Crow laws were still a harsh reality of American life.
Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey, played by Harrison Ford, spots a crucial opportunity to cross an invisible line and integrate black talent into a white man’s game.
That opportunity was Jack Roosevelt Robinson.
Better known as Jackie Robinson, the rookie shortstop from the Negro Baseball League, played by Chadwick Boseman, was given a chance most black men only dreamed of.
As a condition of being the first African-American contracted into the Major League, Robinson promised Mr. Rickey he would endure any backlash silently instead of succumbing to his desires to fight back.
“42” heart-wrenchingly portrays the difficulty of that promise as pitchers throw the ball at his head, players run him over on base, spectators jeer and coaches yell taunting, racist remarks when he steps up to the plate.
The movie depicts a scene in which the Dodgers were refused a room at a hotel they had been frequenting for more than 10 years because of their newest member, causing a fight to break out among teammates.
The baseball community ultimately divided between refusal to accept change and hope for what new talent could bring to the field.
Many wondered if Robinson could actually be the ticket to the Dodgers' desperately craved World Series title.
The movie does not shy away from prejudice and could be considered by some as a bit racially overcharged.
This portrayal, however, seems necessary for viewers to fully understand Robinson's legacy.
With the support of his wife, Rachel, Wendell Smith, the black reporter assigned to chronicle him, and Mr. Rickey's unwavering faith, “42” shows Robinson's journey to confidence and self-respect in the midst of deep hatred.
As he struggles to quietly prove himself, his talent ultimately does the talking.
Staying close to historical facts, "42" makes evident that Robinson's impact would be felt for years to come.
The movie alludes to the fact that every April, all MLB players don the infamous number “42” on their backs, honoring Robinson's achievements and signifying a unity where division once stood.
This movie will leave viewers inspired by a brave man’s determination and appreciative of the path paved for future generations both on and off the baseball field.