The Jackie Robinson Story
42
Review by Ross Anthony

This biopic stays focused. It aims only to tell the most amazing parts of the Jackie Robinson story. The result: a hard-hitting illustration of how self-control and self-belief can transform and elevate an uneven playing field. 42, the movie and the man, each serve as a cautionary/educational (and inspirational) reminder of America's embarrassing past.

That said, the film is a bit hokey. Writers have narrowly scripted the scope of each character. The leads, Rickey and Robinson, have no character arc. They are who they are and they don't change much. Thankfully, the antagonists do change, giving the picture a nice momentum. Boseman does a fine job, Ford is okay, but Christopher Meloni knocks it out of the park. Fans of "Barney Miller" will be pleased to see Max Gail again.

Solid cinematography, paced well, and propelled with the heart of a truly great, heroic story, this a film about character that seeks to help you define yours. Whether or not they like baseball, everyone in America should see it.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --


  • 42. Copyright © 2013.
  • Starring Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Jon Bernthal, Christopher Meloni, Nicole Beharie, Jud Tylor. Max Gail. Written and Directed by Brian Helgeland. Warner Bros.

Grade..........................A- (3/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Apr-2013 16:21:38 PDT