The Express
This film is based on the true story of football great Ernie Davis of Syracuse University who became the first black player to win the coveted Heisman Trophy. It tracks Davis through his childhood to his high school and college days and finally his brief stint with the professionals. During this time period we see the many trials he endured during these racially restrictive times. Thus, race and football are foremost in this story but it is also a tale of courage, respect, friendship and achievement against all odds.
The football portions offer nothing new other than being specific to Davis’s career, especially at Syracuse. There are the usual grunts and groans as the players knock each other about. What is interesting though is the blatant racial hostility between most of the players. If we are to believe the story line, this prejudice went way beyond the players and coaches and actually involved the referees and their jaundiced view on what was happening right before their eyes on the football field. Of course Davis and his black teammates lived in a time when they were pelted from the stands during games and not allowed to stay in the same hotel as their white counterparts. All because of the color of their skin.
Rob Brown is Ernie Davis and Dennis Quaid plays his college coach. Both are affected by their relationship for the better and it is enjoyable to see this happen. Together they realize a national championship with a victory against Texas in the 1960 Cotton Bowl. This is a well-acted movie and I would be remiss not to mention Charles Dutton as Ernie’s grandfather, Pops.
It’s difficult to accept that people actually treated each other as they did during this time. If you think that things haven’t improved between the races, go see this movie. These are the “good old days.”
Rated PG
Fatwayne’s rating:
3 1/2 Popcorns Out of 5
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