42

There is something about Baseball that is fascinating. 

Perhaps it is that duality in it since it is a sport to be played in teams and as such it relies heavily in teamwork, but it also needs "individualities". Quite often the strokes of genius that only gifted players come up with make the whole difference between a loss and a victory.

What is also appealing about Baseball is how its own history is so deeply connected to the history of the United Sates to the point that it is difficult to understand one without the other. That relationship is shown in movies such as 42, in this case the number given to the first African-American who played in the Major League, the legendary Jackie Robinson.

This 2013 film tells a vital episode in the history of the U.S. when there was a color barrier that prevented African Americans from participating in the MLB (Major League Baseball). In 1947 segregation was a commonplace in the U.S. and there were services exclusive to the Whites and others of lower qualities for Coloured people. when Robinson signed his contract to play in the MLB he showed that situation had to change and it did, eventually.

Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) is handpicked by Branck Rickey (Harrison Ford) to be in one of his teams the Montreal Royals, and later on in the Brooklyin Dodgers, on a condition: that he could control his temper. This act to help withdraw Baseball from bigotry was also an astute step to improve the business that Baseball also represents. Robinson had to face all kinds of obstacles from the beginning but mainly his self control was his greatest problem..

This movie was apparently made to fulfill several purposes. It is a window to s different time, it is the social portrait of a society that was not perfect but where there was also a  lot of decency and a strong desire to change, it is a glimpse of the life of a great sports star and it is also an inspiring movie.

Five stars out of five.