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42

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42

PG-13

Released Apr 12, 2013

2h 8m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

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193 Reviews

85%

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100,000+ Ratings

In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies major league baseball's notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The heroic act puts both Rickey and Robinson in the firing line of the public, the press and other players. Facing open racism from all sides, Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence the critics for him.

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Critics Consensus

42 is an earnest, inspirational, and respectfully told biography of an influential American sports icon, though it might be a little too safe and old-fashioned for some.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

This honorable and enlightening film pays due respect to Jackie Robinson -- a sports legend and courageous American hero.

Mar 7, 2017

Full Review

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

A dramatization of what Robinson did and what it required, 42 will not disappoint.

Rated: 3/4

May 7, 2014

Full Review

Mary F. Pols

TIME Magazine

It's not easy to play a stoic, but Boseman anchors the movie, and when he smiles, 42, already such a warm story of such cold times, gets even brighter.

May 7, 2014

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Yes, it has its forgivable offenses of oversimplification, sunny optimism, Disney-like gloss, and convenient revision, but the film succeeds in its primary goal to inspire the viewer.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 13, 2024

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

The rest of the supporting cast, including Nicole Beharie who plays Mrs. Robinson, is pretty bad and struggle to deliver quality lines.

Rated: C+

Aug 23, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

While it’s not a perfect film, it’s yet another example of how this great sport is fertile ground for quality storytelling.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

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Petro B

Amazing sports film, baseball scenes are awesome, story is also great

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Audience Member

I can't believe Rotten Tomatoes gave this a high rating. It was schmaltzy from beginning to end. What kind of critics would give it a glowing review.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

Matthew C

Inspirational and Impactful story about Jackie Robinson's MLB carrier joining the Brooklyn Dodgers told in a film that the performances from actors like Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford really brought out a feeling that another movie can't replicate. It's an amazing story about segregation and how Jackie fought back against it and I couldn't think of a better actor than Chadwick Boseman to play the role. (RIP)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

Full Review

David F

With wonderful period detail and a great soundtrack, this film tells the story of the integration of major league baseball in the 1940s. It’s the kind of movie you’d watch in American History class in High School, yes, but very well done.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/16/25

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Brian H

Boseman is wonderful and makes the movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

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Conrad C

A solid inspirational movie which touches on gritty subject matter while keeping to a feel-good story. It could've gone deeper, but we are grateful for what we get. The movie focuses a lot on some unexpected characters, and at the expense of even knowing the names of Robinson's teammates at the end of the film. Ford puts in a good performance, but I wish he had felt a little less like a co-lead and let the focus stay more on Boseman.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

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Brian Helgeland

Director

Chadwick Boseman

Jackie Robinson

Harrison Ford

Branch Rickey

Nicole Beharie

Rachel Robinson

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Synopsis

In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies major league baseball's notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The heroic act puts both Rickey and Robinson in the firing line of the public, the press and other players. Facing open racism from all sides, Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence the critics for him.

Director: Brian Helgeland
Producer: Thomas Tull
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Legendary Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $95.1M
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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