The legend of Jackie Robinson, the man who broke baseball’s color barrier more than 60 years ago, gets a human touch in the biopic 42, which opens in US movie theaters today.
Chadwick Boseman, who stars as Robinson, said he wanted to remake the iconic image of the Hall of Fame baseball player, who has long been seen as a stoic figure with an unshakable will in the face of racial hatred, into an emotionally complex man, who privately raged against racist taunting.
“I was able to explore him as a man and not an idea,” Boseman said. “Some people say he’s almost a perfect person, but he’s not.”
Photo: AFP
Boseman, 36, a little-known face on Hollywood’s big screen, stars opposite Harrison Ford, who plays Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers team, who paved the way for Robinson to enter Major League Baseball in 1947.
The movie takes its name from Robinson’s shirt number, which Major League Baseball retired from use for all players in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Robinson becoming the first black player in the league.
“I was just able to sort of put myself in [Robinson’s] shoes and breathe his life in any situation, and try to search for those dark moments and the type of person he was, based upon what he said and what other people said,” Boseman said.
The actor, who has appeared on TV series such as Fringe and Justified, said he sought insight into Robinson’s personality and emotions at that time from his wife, Rachel Robinson, who he met several times to prepare for the role.
“I could tell from how strong their relationship was. The best way to say it is you’re seeing a piece of the puzzle,” Boseman said. “They’re a complete puzzle together. I could see the edges of who he is from who she is.”
The Robinsons were married from 1946 until Jackie’s death from a heart attack at age 53 in 1972. Rachel, now 90, founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation to help educate underprivileged younsters in 1973.
In the film, director Brian Helgeland fashions Robinson and Rickey as precursors to the Civil Rights movement. Robinson is forced to endure — and ignore — bigotry and taunts, while Rickey quickly ships out players who refuse to play alongside Robinson.
In one early test of resolve, a reporter asks Robinson what he would do when a pitcher intentionally throws at his head.
“I’ll duck,” the infielder says.
However, Helgeland also shows Robinson as at times confused and frustrated by his status.
“It was important to show what he was thinking in the process, how did he get to the place where he made the decisions he made and where did he, in some cases, fall short of it,” Boseman said.
Robinson’s anger over racial abuse hits a climax when an opposing manager stands on the field shouting racist insults while Robinson is at-bat.
Unable to retaliate, Robinson comes apart in the tunnel connecting the Dodgers bench and the clubhouse, smashing his bat in front of Rickey, who challenges him to rise above racism.
“At some point he had to break and the fact that Rachel Robinson didn’t fight us to take [the scene] out [of the film] to me proves that it is true,” Boseman said.
Although more than half a century has passed since Robinson’s final game in 1956, Boseman said the film also reflects the scars millions of African Americans still bear today.
“We still have people that remember that time living, but the fact that it wasn’t that long ago lets you know that some of those things still resonate,” he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and