Feel-good Jackie Robinson biopic is simplistic but positive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
a lot
The "N" word and "boy" are used several times, particularly in a game against the Phillies, in which a White team manager incessantly ridicules Robinson and calls him epithets like "coon," "monkey," and many others. "Negro" and "colored" are used as neutral terms to describe Black people. Also a couple of uses of "s--t," "a--hole," "hell," "son of a bitch," "damn," "goddamn," and "ass." Ableist language includes "What are you, deaf?"
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Several kisses, a few more passionate than others. Two different scenes of couples in a bedroom or in bed together, talking and embracing (men shirtless, women in chemises). It's later revealed that one of these couples was having an extramarital affair.
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A pitcher throws a baseball at someone's head and hits him (no lasting injury). Teammates nearly go fist-to-fist but are stopped by their fellow players. A White man threatens Black men by saying that he and a group of other White men will cause "trouble" if they don't leave town. One player spikes another in the calf; the wound is later shown being stitched up by a doctor (no blood visible). A character screams in frustration and breaks his bat against a wall. Almost all of this violence is racially motivated, which adds psychological distress to these physical acts of harm.
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Dodge car, Budweiser ad, and a few other fleeting ads in baseball parks.
Positive Messages
a lot
In addition to its anti-racist message, 42 promotes the idea that it's worth being considered an outcast to stand up for something important.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Jackie Robinson, as portrayed in 42, demonstrates exceptional courage and self-control in the face of virulent racism. He doesn't engage people who ridicule him, nor does he ever instigate any conflicts. Branch Rickey is shown as a man of faith and wisdom who knew he was breaking the "color line" in his desire to integrate Major League Baseball. Rickey calls people out on their racism and makes the other players see why whatever inconveniences they faced pale in comparison to the abuse and the threats Jackie faces. Dodgers Pee Wee Reese, Ralph Branca, and Eddie Stanky come around to be supportive of Robinson, and at least some of the characters who exhibit racism are punished/penalized.
Diverse Representations
some
42 centers around an important moment of progress in American civil rights history. Black actor Chadwick Boseman shines as Robinson, even if the script does make him out to be more "perfect" than human. But the film is written and directed by a White man, and White saviors populate the story to varying degrees -- most notably manager Branch Rickey, who "discovers" Robinson and spends most of his screen time heroically defending the Black player against racists. Overall, the film's take on racism is shallow and takes too many pains to ensure that its viewers come away feeling good about this moment in time rather than curious about how racism still exists in major league sports. In other areas of representation, Robinson's wife is a cookie-cutter housewife who exists solely to root for her husband from the stands, get pregnant, have a baby, give her husband endless emotional support, and look immaculate while doing it.
Parents need to know that 42 is a feel-good biopic about the two years in which Major League Baseball legend Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) broke the sport's color barrier. It's not a complete biography, just a snapshot of the 1946 and 1947 seasons. Expect many (many) instances of White characters using the "N" word and other racial slurs, including "boy," "monkey," and "coon"; other language includes "s--t" and "a--hole." A White man threatens Black men by saying that he and a group of other White men will cause "trouble" if they don't leave town. A calf injury is shown being stitched up by a doctor (no blood visible). Fistfights nearly break out; a man is hit in the head with a baseball (no lasting injury). Several kisses, a few more passionate than others. Couples shown in a bedroom or in bed together, talking and embracing (men shirtless, women in chemises). Adults infrequently drink and smoke.The movie spotlights an important moment in American and civil rights history. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
In 42, in the aftermath of World War II, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) decides the time is right to recruit the first Black baseball player into Major League Baseball. After going through the stats on various noteworthy Negro League players, Rickey targets Jack "Jackie" Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), a 26-year-old player for the Kansas City Monarchs. Rickey offers Robinson a spot on the Dodgers' minor league team, the Montreal Royals, and then in 1947 officially gives him a place at bat with the Brooklyn Dodgers. With the support of his devoted wife, Rachel (Nicole Beharie), Robinson faces the racism of everyone from fellow players to umpires to opposing teams -- not to mention fans. But as he proves he's got what it takes to steal bases, hit homers, and score runs, teammates and fans have a change of heart.
This isn't a perfect film, but it's entertaining and, by most accounts, historically accurate. But director Brian Helgeland definitely pulls a bit too hard at the heartstrings with slow-motion shots of little children and audiences watching Robinson play. As a result, 42 frequently teeters on the brink of being overly sentimental. Still, Boseman gives a wonderful performance as an amazing athlete, a loving husband/father, and a man who knows how to respond to racists and critics on the field, not with his fists.
Ford's performance is over the top and gets more screen time than strictly necessary for a biopic about a Black icon, but he believably portrays what drove Rickey's desire to integrate Major League Baseball: his business savvy (a Black player meant more Black fans) and his Christian principles (he's a Methodist who often compares Robinson's trials to those of Jesus). Ultimately, the biopic is about both men, perhaps to its detriment. Crowd-pleasing and uncomplicated, 42 isn't likely to win awards, but it's a great pick for families -- whether they love baseball or not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about 42's themes and messages. Why are Jackie Robinson's accomplishments so significant? Can you think of other athletes/public figures who've faced similar challenges?
How have profesisonal sports in the United States changed since the 1940s? Are some of the issues raised in the film still present?
Talk about the difference between a biographical film that covers an entire life and those that concentrate on one time period of a historical figure's life. Which do you prefer? Why?
Does this film have a "White savior complex"? If so, how could the filmmakers have avoided this pitfall?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
