42
Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) changed the game of baseball forever! It started in 1945 when he wanted to end segregation on the baseball field. He was determined to recruit MLB’s first black player, and he did. In 1947 Rickey found his man; a man from the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs, a man who was an amazing athlete…a man named Jackie Robinson. In 1947 Robinson became a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers; while he faced many vicious, racial comments and abuse, Robinson was encouraged by Rickey not to fight back, and let his talent speak for itself. That’s what Robinson did; at the end of his rookie season he became National League Rookie of the Year, and was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 42 is a wonderful inspirational sports drama, a movie for the whole family!!
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Rating: 4 and 1/2 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 12, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 7+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content:Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
There were wonderful messages woven throughout the film. Robinson was not only a great baseball player, but he was a loving and devoted husband and father as well. He was a courageous man, who had the guts not to fight back, when he was verbally abused!
Robinson was a man of character. It was amazing to see how he endured the viscous, racial abuse in which he received from not only the opposing players and fans, but also his own teammates as well. Things weren’t easy, he faced many trails, but always did the right thing, and did what he loved most…playing ball!
Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) was the man who decided to recruit Robinson. He stood by Robinson through thick and thin, he even threatened to trade players who refused to be associated with a “black man.”
It was disturbing to see the way blacks and whites were segregated. African-Americans not only had to deal with physical and verbal abuse, but they were forced to use separate restrooms, sit in the back of the bus, and were not welcomed in most hotels and restaurants.
Sexual Content: Mild
- There was a sexual comment about Jackie sleeping with a white players’ wife. (Jackie was happily married and was not cheating on wife.)
- A coach was having an affair with an actress.
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
- A pitcher hit Jackie intentionally with a ball, which caused a brawl amongst the players.
- A player purposely spiked Jackie with his cleats.
- After an opposing team’s coach repeatedly called Robinson a “n-gger,” Jackie walked into the dug out and smashed his bat against the wall.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- “Sh-t,” “a–,” and “b-tard,” “d–n,” and “b–ch” were said a few times each.
- At games, the opposing teams yelled, “n-gger,” throughout the games.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We saw men drinking beer.
- We saw Rickey smoking a cigar.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Overall 42 was a wonderful inspirational sports drama, with wonderful messages! Depending on the child, I highly recommend this movie for kids ages 7 and up. Parents need to be aware of the profane and crude language.
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