“42” is the most enjoyable and warm-hearted movie I’ve seen in a long time.  Chronicling Jackie Robinson’s career as the first black Major League Baseball player, the film left me grinning as it ended, and I wanted to watch it again.

The movie’s title comes from Jackie’s number when he plays for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  The plot focuses on Jackie’s ascent into Major League Baseball, including the initial racism he faces and his changing relationships with teammates and fans alike.

Since the movie is about a real person’s life, the plot is predictable, but the filmmakers succeed in making the historical events dramatic and kept me on the edge of my seat.   The filming itself is comparable to other Hollywood sports movies and, unsurprisingly, ends with a critical game.

This film, however, is unique in that the final game does not last long.  Truthfully, I am a little disappointed with the ending.  While I like the actual events, I think it is slightly anticlimactic and would prefer that it last longer.

One of the interesting points about this film is that it focuses on two other characters in addition to the main character.  Both children, one is an African American boy who is inspired by Jackie’s bravery and success, and the other is a white boy who has to decide how to treat Jackie.  These changes in focus add to the success of the film because they further the knowledge that Jackie had a tremendous effect on the mindset of the nation.

The acting is flawless, featuring both well-known and new actors.  Jackie Robinson is played by Chadwick Boseman, an unfamiliar actor who nails his part, eliciting sympathy,  and a combination of sadness and anger.  Harrison Ford is fantastic, as usual, with his performance of Branch Rickey, a baseball executive who brought Jackie in.  Other notable actors include Nicole Beharie as Jackie’s wife Rachel, Christopher Meloni as baseball manager Leo Durocher, and Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese.  The actors are well-picked and effectively portray their characters.

In all honesty, the soundtrack is forgettable.  The only thing I note is that “Brooklyn Go Hard” by Jay-Z, which is featured in the trailers, is left out of the film.  Other than that, the soundtrack is muted and unnoticed.  While this isn’t necessarily a good thing, it also isn’t bad because there is no clash between the music and the mood of the movie.

“42” is a well-put-together movie and is a satisfactory representation of a crucial period in our nation’s history.  I enjoyed watching it and look forward to watching it again.

Rebecca Driver is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.