The Express (2008)

"The Express" falls in the annals of the ever-so-growing sports drama of one individual having to break barriers in impossible odds only to come out on top in the end. It's part of the same category of other classic sports films like "Remember the Titans", "Glory Road" and "Pride", we can say that is something that we have all seen before and you know what's coming next. Not to sound dull-minded, "The Express" focuses primarily on one individual by contrast to the team, the film concentrates on the triumphs and hardships college athletes of African-American extraction had to endure as they opened unlocked doors and opened minds.Though dependent on superficial Hollywood dramatization, "The Express" conveys an insightful look into how African-Americans struggled to be noticed and even more focus is on being accepted. Even though it sparks realism in storytelling, it still has fabricated hyperbole in its execution. The structure defies routine, and the emotional stirrings emanates by the 90 minute mark, all the while leaking out an overlong diatribe about why our central character hardly ever gets the credit like his teammate and friend Jim Brown.Our story proceeds around the year 1960 in Texas during the Cotton Bowl as the Syracuse Orangemen are up against the all famous Texas Longhorns. The star halfback and our central character Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) is one of three black guys on the Syracuse team. Ernie must fend off against the biased crowd while overcoming racial taunts. As he's at the line of scrimmage, his mind wanders into flashbacks to his youth in Pittsburgh, up to his recruitment of Coach Ben Schwartzwelder (Dennis Quaid) and his team to an undefeated season.Football is the symbolic meaning of life here in "The Express". Ernie's emotional stages seems to be synonymous with the United States in their quest for equality. It's sadly refreshing that the racial integrity isn't just focused on the South, but, the Northeast States exhibits equal amounts of racial ignorance and cold shoulders especially when he arrives in Syracuse's all Caucasian campus. When Syracuse goes down South, the racism is welcomed with open arms and how he had to sleep in different hotel rooms due to his skin colour. Although Ernie Davis is main character we follow here, there's a lot of intriguing character development in Coach Schwartzwelder being he's a West Virginian who had a disdain towards African-American, but soon shows a change in heart and eventually becomes sympathetic towards Ernie Davis.Though the acting isn't grandiose, it's still very well in it's subtle manner. Rob Brown adds good charm and great intentions as the mild-mannered Elmira Express. His intensity speaks volumes in his performance than his words. With the prejudicial abuse surrounds his well-being, he's able to utilize his eye movements to express his inner anger. Dennis Quaid is the veteran performer here and excels better as a supporting player here, even though he seems to be playing a familiar role we've seen before by him. He's been in sports themed movies before like "Any Given Sunday" and "Everybody's All-American", only here he's playing a coach rather than a player. Other significant notables include Charles S. Dutton as Ernie's grandfather, in limited role, but of great value and Darrin Dewitt as football great Jim Brown who was prominent in helping Ernie sign with Syracuse.Outside the football scenarios there are personal moments that happen in Ernie's life in this film including his relationship with his grandfather and his mother. The love relationship between Ernie Davis and his love interest Sarah Ward (Nicole Behaire) never fully envelops. They appear as friends, but there's no indication if they're just platonic, engaged or married. Some important scenes surrounding Ernie's life that could've been a personal interest was edited out or just neglected. As film about chasing your dreams and dodging racial bullets, "The Express" is the ideal biopic. And while he made history on the college level gridiron, it's his civil approach towards the racially enhanced environment that earns our admiration and a worthy film to watch.

"The Express" one of the most iconic football movies ever, but it is rarely talked about with movies like "Rudy", "Remember the Titans", or "Radio." Don't get me wrong all those are great movies, everyone loves them, but when I mention the football movie "The Express." I get responses like," What is that about?" or "Was it any good?" To these questions, I just tell them this movie is simply a masterpiece all the way from the acting to the time this movie took place. John Davis's film "The Express" is a true story that dives into the life of Ernest Davis.The ever so good performance in the movie is by Rob Brown. He had the task of playing the great college running back Ernie Davis. The way he played the character was phenomenal. The way he would captivate the audience with his moves on the football field. He had that look about him, he looked like a well-dressed and well- respected black man. When things got heated in the movie and teams would start to beat up on him made, it seems like you were watching the exact fight. Throughout the movie as Ernie gets older, the audience can definitely see the transformation. In the beginning he was a spry young athlete then Rob Brown was able to look older and act older as well. There was another great performance in the movie. He played the part of coach Ben Schwartzwalder of the University of Syracuse was Dennis Quaid. I have always been a big fan of Dennis Quaid and in this movie he certainly didn't disappoint. He played the hard-nosed stubborn coach that has a soft side. The audience could definitely see it in the movie. On the outside he was a rugged older man with a soft spot to his new talented running back Ernie Davis.The story of Ernie Davis is about the fight to equality. It's about an African American man trying to play football when everyone else around him is white. The movie started out by talking about Ernie Davis's childhood. This gives us vital details about him that carry over when they move to his older ages. He gets recruited to play football and the University of Syracuse where they had a star of their own named Jim Brown. The first year Ernie is eligible to play the movie does a great job leaving the audience in suspense while they play their games. He goes on to defy all odds and the movie throws out an unexpected twist that makes the audience feel sorry for someone like Ernie Davis."The Express" is a movie that isn't as talked about as some of the other great football movies. When really this movie is up there as being the best football movie of all time. This movie is the jack of all trades. It has the high and excited moments but then it goes down and makes you realize how bad the country was during the segregation era. Then this movie pulls the tear jerk-er card out and makes everyone feel so bad for him. The story of Ernie Davis is one that everybody should be aware of.

I enjoyed this. Its well made, well acted and inspirational but I'll admit I have seen better sports movies and at times it did feel a little clichéd and rah, rah even though its based on a true story.The Express is based on the life story of Ernie Davis; a Syracuse university running back who became the first African American to win the Heisman trophy in 1961. This biopic covers his entire life and there were some sections that went on a bit too long (THAT game in Texas for example -which for a non football person seemed to take forever) and the ending also seemed abrupt, just a post-note as to what happened to him. *Sigh* Rob Brown does a great job portraying Davis though and Dennis Quaid is fine, as the coach although he ain't no Billy Bob Thornton ala 'Friday Night Lights'. There were some decent sub roles here too; Nelson Ellis (True Blood) Charles S. Dutton, and Omar Benson Miller who was very likable.This takes place just as the civil rights movement was gaining steam and Davis faced a ton of prejudice and just full on racism which always makes me uncomfortable, how he handles himself and challenges his coach to stand up for the players is what really makes him a hero. 11/6/14

Truly an outstanding biography of Ernie Davis, who at the height of brilliant career, with so much to offer the Cleveland Browns, was struck down with leukemia. The latter ultimately killed him at age 23.His was a life of viewing and experiencing racial prejudice from his early youth and while playing, especially in southern towns. The picture excellently depicts American society circa 1949 through the '60s.As his beloved coach at Syracuse University, Dennis Quaid gives a restrained, brilliant performance. This is by far Quaid's best work in motion pictures.Rob Brown, as Davis, fully captures the man and mood of the times. It's wonderful to see how Brown matured during his college years, and was even strong through such adversity at the end.This is a remarkable film which should not be missed.As his grandfather, Charles S. Dutton, is excellent in a supporting role. Grandpa knew the importance of football, but was wise enough to push his grandson for an education as well.