42

A lively and moving account of how Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers broke the color barrier in major-league baseball in 1947. As a baseball movie, it’s above average, convincing in specific detail and refreshingly free of fakery. As a social drama in a period setting, it’s evocative and intense even though condensed in ways that leave little room for thematic complexities and depth of character. Chadwick Boseman is excellent in the Robinson role. He delivers a nice sense of the man’s dignity and intensity, and the physical resemblance extends even into the way he swings the bat in the game-action scenes. And Harrison Ford is on point as Branch Rickey, the Dodgers’ owner/general manager who masterminded the whole breakthrough and handpicked Robinson to lead the way. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.