O/T: Saw "42" tonight and loved it...

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by aabram23

For the people who saw it. I know it's PG-13. Is it appropriate to take 8 year old boy to it? My son would like to see it but just wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks.

The N-Word is said numerous times. As far as I can remember that would have been the only reason it would have received that rating.

[Eric72]

Thanks to all who have participated so far.

I look forward to hearing from those who caught the Saturday showing.

Best Regards,

Eric

[alanu]

On a side note, if you enjoyed the movie, on Bob Costa's show on MLB TV he had the whole hour interviewing, Harrison Ford, the Jackie Robinson actor and Don Newcombe. Don Newcombe had some really good stories.

[Vintagecatcher]

Just got home from seeing the late viewing of 42.

Thought it was a pretty good movie.

Harrison Ford was tremendous as Branch Rickey.

Patrick

[tedzan]

I completely agree with Patrick......Harrison Ford deserves an Award for his portrayal of Branch Rickey.

My wife and I enjoyed this movie. However, it would have been nicer if they had portrayed more of Jackie Robinson's career and life.

I experienced flashbacks to my youth seeing Crosley Field, Forbes Field, Polo Grounds, Sportsman's Park, and especially Ebbets Field.

Highly recommend seeing this movie.


TED Z

[deadballfreaK]

Wish I could see it. Most of the time I enjoy living in the sticks, but it is not fun that the big movie chains have destroyed all our theaters in rural America. No way I'm driving an hour both ways to get ripped off. I'll wait for the dvd.

[nolemmings]

I treated myself while the daughter was at prom last night--first a Dodgers-DBacks game downtown and then the movie. I enjoyed one much more than the other.

The movie was good to very good but not great IMO. It was aimed 99% at that year of breaking the color barrier, with only a little background and follow-up, but that's not surprising given time constraints and the message they were hammering home. And its a good message to hammer home.

I went to the 10:00 p.m show and I would say that at least 25% of the crowd was under 18, including many pre-teens. The amount and degree of the racial slurring was very noticeable, and as uncomfortable as it made me feel, I hope the younger set was even more affected by how vile it sounds.

I remember seeing "Brian's Song" when I was 12 and how much of an impact it had on my generation, at least those in my part of the world. Seeing it again much later I could tell how it was far from any cinematic masterpiece, and was often sappy. Still, the message it sent had been received long ago. With 42, I hope the younger people get the message too, even if the movie itself can be picked at by the critics.

BTW: Spoiler alert (j/k). Ostermueller was a lefty.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

The N-Word is said numerous times. As far as I can remember that would have been the only reason it would have received that rating.

If they say the F-word twice it's an automatic rated-R. Apparently they can say the N-word 3,657 times and still be PG-13. My son turned 8 on Thursday and he won't be seeing this movie this year.

[Runscott]

Matt, I agree with you about the film score, but I think they needed that to kindle our emotions - if it had been removed, the film might have fallen flat. I agree that it could have been much worse, but to me that doesn't excuse its not being much better.

[nolemmings]

If they say the F-word twice it's an automatic rated-R. Apparently they can say the N-word 3,657 times and still be PG-13. My son turned 8 on Thursday and he won't be seeing this movie this year.

While I understand completely your decision to not allow your son to see the movie this year, I have no problem with the PG-13 rating, which of course strongly cautions parents that there is material potentially unsuitable for children. There is no doubt profuse and near constant use of racial slurring, but such slurring was in fact commonplace and its use accurate. There was really no violence, sexuality, gore or deviant/controversial behavior to prompt a sterner rating.

There is a brief scene in the movie in which a young boy is attending a game with his father, who lets loose with the slurs. The boy is obviously upset and uncertain how to react, and then apparently feels it best to join in with dad. I think that is a great teaching moment for both young and old, and I would bet it reminded at least one old guy how he stupidly became jaded all those years ago.

Just another two cents.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

I think that is a great teaching moment

Todd,

I agree. My wife and I used those exact same words when discussing this scene afterwards.

Best,

Eric

[Matthew H]

I too agree Todd, but my girlfriend and I have worked hard to preserve his innocence as long as possible... So he will see this movie eventually. I'm surprised this movie got the rating it did. Not judging by historical accuracy, just judging by how strict the MPAA is on language. If they would have dropped the f-word twice in this movie it would be rated R. While I think it would be bad having an 8 year old walking around dropping F-bombs, the N-word could get a kid in serious trouble. Thank god I have a good boy, but there are some bad kids out there.

[Matthew H]

Scott, I thought Harrison Ford did a great job with his portion of the script. They could have just dropped the score around some of his lines and, presto! A slightly better movie. I do agree much was left to be desired in the overall film.

[CMIZ5290]

This is another great thread. What are member's opinions about Jackie Robinson as a real life player? Overrated, underrated?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Matthew H

Scott, I thought Harrison Ford did a great job with his portion of the script. They could have just dropped the score around some of his lines and, presto! A slightly better movie. I do agree much was left to be desired in the overall film.

I think most of the actors/actresses did a great job. To me it was the script that was weak, and the score was used to prop it up. But you might be right - perhaps the score took away from the script. Tough to say, but I'll go re-watch it with that in mind.