Any baseball fan knows who Jackie was - the first African-American to play Major League Baseball, but very few can understand exactly WHAT he was. Until now. Chadwick Boseman - whose resemblence to Jackie Robinson is uncanny - delivers an award winning performance. His ability to show all facets of this incredible man was spot on. Minority, Athlete, Lover, Father, Teacher, Forgiver. It's raw emotion - which is my cup of tea when it comes to great movies.
You don't have to be a baseball fan to fall in love with this movie. It's mostly a movie about how much the human spirit can endure - at times, I
felt sick to my stomach with the epitaphs he had to endure. This
prideful man - always impeccably dressed and absolutely gorgeous (you
know me - it's all about the eye candy) - was constantly tested. He faced more ridicule and injustice than any person should have too - always turning the other check. It's hard to say if he would have stayed so focused, if not for the promise he made to his manager, Branch Rickey:
"Jackie Robinson:
You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?
Branch Rickey:
No. I want a player who's got the guts *not* to fight back.
Jackie Robinson:
You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts. "
Branch Rickey was a man of great morals who believed the game of baseball - as well as the America it represented- should offer opportunities to people with talent - no matter the color of their skin. He was 65 years old when he met Jackie Robinson and put it all on the line. I fell in love with this man. But I wasn't in love with Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey. There
was just something that was off for me - I can't put my finger on it.
(Side note - my husband; a HUGE baseball fan, thought Ford was SPOT ON.
He knows the story of Branch Rickey - so if Jay says he did a great
job, than who am I to argue?)
Lastly, this movie was a love story. Nicole Beharie plays the love of Jackie's life, Rachel. Nicole mentioned in an interview how thrilled she was to be able to consult with Rachel Robinson during the making of this film. She is convinced,
as is everyone who actually knew the couple - that this was a story of
"WE" not "I". They truly faced this journey together - she was his
biggest fan, his counselor, his lover and his best friend. She was a
very beautiful, very strong woman who continues to work towards the greater good. She is quoted
as saying "I want young people to know you can go through terrible
times, but if you form strong relationships...you can make a
difference." Great stuff.
This strong cast also included
one of my favorite actors, Lucas Black (of Slingblade fame); TR Knight
(Grey's Anatomy) and Andre Holland who plays the African American
baseball writer hired by Rickey to guide Jackie through his newfound
fame. One of my favorite lines is delivered by Holland, I can't
remember it exactly but it goes something like this: "You aren't the
only one with something at stake here. Haven't you ever wondered why I
sit in stands with my typewriter in my lap instead of sitting in the
press box?"
Jackie
Robinson is the heart and soul of Baseball, of America, of tolerance
and change. We should all take a page from his book, a book that "42"
does a fine job of sharing with us all.
No comments:
Post a Comment