The Express

The Express

"This biopic focuses on the relationship of Ernie Davis (1939-1963), a gifted African-American athlete, and his coach from 1958 to 1962 at Syracuse University, Ben Schwartzwalder (1909-1993). Schwartzwalder recruits Davis with the help of All-American running back, Jim Brown. The civil rights movement is gaining steam; Davis experiences prejudice on campus, in town, and on the field, sometimes from teammates. How he handles it and how he challenges Schwartzwalder to stand up for his players provide a counterpoint to several great seasons that lead first to a national championship and then to the Heismann Trophy."

3.5 of stars

I feel like this movie is a victim of timing. Don't get me wrong, it's a good movie and it can stand on its own laurels, but it's just too late for me. After the gold standards like Rudy and Remember the Titans, I think it's hard to put forth a really good football movie that doesn't seem formulaic. Unfortunately, this one does, but it really shouldn't diminish the movie as a whole. The film is pretty accurate as to what happened in Ernie Davis' life, so it's hard to count that as a strike against it. And the story itself is a very important one to tell. Ernie Davis was the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy. That happening in a sport that has so many strong ties to the 'Old South' really makes the accomplishment the biggest cultural event in sports since Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. But everything just doesn't come together in SUCH a way that it makes you feel like you're seeing a sports epic for the very first time.

I've been a fan of Rob Brown ever since Finding Forrester, and he delivers another solid performance. By his own right, Denis Quaid does a very good portrayal of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder. But again, it's just not enough to push the movie over the top for me. Inevitably it will be on TNT or TBS in the next year or two, and I definitely recommend sitting down for it, but it's just not one I would run out and rent the next chance I got.