The Express

Synopsis

The Express is based on the true story of Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis (Rob Brown, Take the Lead). He’s the first black college player to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Ernie, his team and coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) confront many obstacles both on and off the field, discovering that they’re playing for something bigger than a championship.

Review

I’ve just kissed the tender lips of inspiration and tasted its sweetness. OH MY WORD!
The Express, a film based on the non-fiction book of Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, by Robert C. Gallagher is one uplifting movie. I quickly embraced its message of victory, as my heart was beating quick and loud like some steel drums banging and beating at the Caribana. (Need to get back to Tonronto—good time up there).

In 1956, the best running back at Syracuse University and in the country was Jim Brown (Darrin Dewitt Henson, The Hustle). This guy should have won the Heisman Trophy but wasn’t able to capture it, and he personally thinks it's because of his race. People felt if ole’ boy Jim B couldn’t prevail, then no black player ever would. Oh how wrong the peoples be! You see, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) takes the field under the tutelage of renowned Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) and surpasses Brown's achievements to win that Heisman Trophy. There’s no denying a brotha was good.

The true-life athletic movies are always a joy to watch. For me it’s even better when I actually don’t know everything about the person’s life. Then when I do read about them after watching the movie, I get upset because I find out that a lot of scenes in the movie are for dramatization sake. Yes, I know this. I do, but I always still get bummed out. It’s stupid of me. I know to create a good film with great moments there needs to be some embellishment. While some things in The Express are dramatized, they did stick to the main story.

Sports films are so enriching, and The Express delivers the same moving message of perseverance, a positive attitude and kindheartedness from the main character and others. These messages are great for anyone at any age.

Now, the film sure did depict West Virginia University’s fans as some straight up uncouth racists. Some people, who are alive and still kicking from that time and actual moments, state that it is untrue of the utter racist rage the WVU fan’s had. So there is a historical discrepancy going on. Let’s just all agree that "times was different" back then.

Look, I wasn’t there 49 years ago, but records show that the actual October 24, 1959 game between West Virginia University and Syracuse depicted in the film took place actually at Syracuse‘s own Archbold Stadium and not Mountaineer Stadium in West Virginia that the film will have us believe. Hmmm. Well, excuse me. I smell Hollywood embellishment. So maybe the WVU fans have a point. The movie hits you so hard with the racism I had to see if it really happened like that. Nonetheless the movie was excellent.

And the word spook had a comfortable home in this movie. Guaranteed certain scenes will definitely cook your last grit depending on who you are. The movie creators make sure to remind everyone this movie was set WAY back in the day and times were something else when it came to race relations.

Oh, and I didn’t know Ernie Davis was from Uniontown, PA. I have some peoples from there. Hmmm, I wonder if they knew Ernie or his ken folk? Anyhoo, it was good reading up on Ernie Davis. I knew from the film that he was a kind soul, but the film under played it. In real life, this man would make sure to sign every autograph, help kids out and he was truly humble and quiet. He also was great at basketball and baseball, playing these sports too along with keeping his grades up. Can’t say the brotha was lazy. He definitely was gifted and just was a consummate optimist. That sure is a great quality to have.

When you watch this movie understand that the time frame was the civil rights movement, which was a non-violent protest over the inequalities in society. In an interesting way, the civil rights movement is personified in Ernie Davis, who is almost always polite, only forceful to make a point, and is never violent. You can see that Ernie understands "his place" in society and on the field, but at the same time he knows he can change the rules forever if he makes a stand. The fact that this guy was so nice makes it impossible not to root for him throughout this triumphant, and a little sad movie (you'll see).

Every time I think about this film, I just ponder about my goals and how to go about achieving them with a positive attitude and determination. Mmm mmm mmm, kissing the lips of inspiration surely is a great thing. Don’t read up on Ernie Davis before seeing this movie—you’ll only spoil what is a truly remarkable story.

My Rating ~ 4 Reels

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