May 20, 2013 - Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown

Page 14 The Catholic Register, May 20, 2013
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‘42’ Is Uplifting,
But Heavy - Handed
By John Mulderig
Catholic News Service
NEW YORK (CNS) -- To
paraphrase the title of an earlier
movie about the national
pastime, hate strikes out in the
historical drama “42” (Warner
Bros.). Writer-director Brian
Helgeland’s uplifting -- if sometimes
heavy-handed -- film recounts
the 1947 reintegration of
professional baseball after decades
of segregated play.
As Helgeland’s script shows
us, this racial breakthrough
-- which marked a significant
milestone in the onward march
of the civil rights movement
-- was made possible by the
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collaborative efforts of Brooklyn
Dodgers general manager
Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford)
and Negro League star Jackie
Robinson (Chadwick Boseman).
In the aftermath of World
War II, Rickey was determined
to add a black player to the roster
of “Dem Bums.” In Robinson
-- whose Dodgers uniform,
once he eventually donned it,
bore the number of the title --
Rickey found a sportsman with
sufficient character to endure all
the abuse that would have to be
faced to make this change a reality.
Rickey’s motivation was
in part, of course, financial; in
a diverse city like New York,
integrated play would lead to
an expanded fan base. But, if
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CNS Photo/Warner Bros.
42: Lucas Black and Chadwick Boseman star in a scene from the movie “42.” The Catholic News
Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 --
parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
the narrative here is accurate,
both his vision and Robinson’s
courage also can be attributed to
their shared Christian faith.
This bond is first indicated
in a humorous way when Rickey,
reviewing Robinson’s file,
observes that everything is going
to work out fine since “he’s
a Methodist, I’m a Methodist,
God’s a Methodist ... .”
Later, in describing to Robinson
the forbearance he will
need to demonstrate, Rickey
gravely compares it to that of
“our Savior.” And, while remonstrating
with a racist opponent,
Rickey reminds him -- albeit
somewhat jokingly -- that he
will someday stand before God
to be judged.
Catholicism is only specifically
referred to in passing -- and
in a retrospectively curious light.
Rickey learns from the commissioner
of baseball that his manager,
the legendary Leo Durocher
(Christopher Meloni), is
being suspended from the game
for a year. The Catholic Youth
Organization, it seems, objects
to the flagrantly adulterous affair
Durocher has been carrying on
with his mistress. The organization’s
threat of a boycott, so the
commissioner assures Rickey, is
not to be ignored.
Robinson’s marriage, by
contrast, is shown to be both a
model of success and a crucial
source of support in his struggle.
As he courts and marries
his sweetheart Rachel (Nicole
Beharie) -- and as they embark
on parenthood together -- she
proves a tower of strength to her
husband, by turns egging him on
and cooling him down.
Swelling music and other
atmospherics occasionally convey
the impression that Helgeland’s
picture is too convinced
of its own importance. But the
proceedings are buoyed by the
feisty righteousness with which
Ford, in a splendid turn, endows
Rickey and by the inspiring example
of Robinson’s unbreakable
determination.
While the elements listed
below would normally exclude
youthful viewers, the moral impact
of Rickey and Robinson’s
history-altering partnership may
make their story acceptable for
older teens.
The film contains an adultery
theme, racial slurs, fleeting
humor implicitly referencing
homosexuality, a few uses of
profanity, at least one crude term
and occasional crass language.
The Catholic News Service classification
is A-III -- adults. The
Motion Picture Association of
America rating is PG-13 -- parents
strongly cautioned. Some
material may be inappropriate
for children under 13.
Coming Up On ‘Proclaim!’
Upcoming guests on “Keeping The Faith,” Bishop
Mark L. Bartchak’s segment of “Proclaim!”
will include:
Sunday Mass Telecast
Live from Saint John Gualbert Cathedral
Downtown Johnstown
11 a.m. - Noon WWCP - TV FOX Channel 8
Proclaim!
10:30 a.m.
A half - hour of local Church news and features
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May 26 - - Representatives of the graduating
classes of Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, and
Bishop McCort Catholic High Schools reflect on
their years of Catholic education and look to the
future.
June 2 - - Kelsey Ingold, a member of Saint
Francis Xavier Parish in Cresson, shares her
experiences in Rome during the conclave and
election of Pope Francis.