Rated PG for thematic content, violence, and language involving racism, and for brief sensuality.
Directed by Gary Fleder (Runaway Jury)
Starring Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown and Darrin Dewitt Henson
“Football is just a game. What matters is what you play for.” – Ernie Davis
This biopic focuses on the relationship of Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), a gifted African-American athlete, and his coach, Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), from 1958 to 1962 at Syracuse University.
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 even from teammates. How he handles it and how he challenges Schwartzwalder to stand up for his players provides a counterpoint to several great seasons that lead first to a national championship and the first Heisman Trophy for SU and for an African American player.
I’m a sucker for a good sports story and living in Syracuse, NY made this one even better. Every year since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been given to the best college football player in the country. The story of how Ernie Davis won his is a journey of pain, hard work and overcoming some very big obstacles.
The Express is filled with one heart-wrenching scene after another, like the death of his grandfather (Charles S. Dutton), being told the black players could not stay in the hotel, when Coach Schwartzwalder said, “No matter what happens I want you to know I’m proud of you” at the Heisman award ceremony and him running out onto the field for the last time.
It is also filled with strong and sometimes complex relationships. We get to see the impact of Ernie’s grand-father, Willie 'Pops' Davis, on his life and the bittersweet reunion with his mother (Aunjanue Ellis) which leads to the move to Elimra, New York. There is the mentoring (from a distance) of football legend Jim Brown (Darrin Dewitt Henson), who helps recruit Ernie to Syracuse University and from Coach Ben Schwartzwalder. There are plenty of memorable moments between Ernie and his Jack Buckley (Omar Benson Miller) as well as with many of his white teammates during the racial tension of the 1950’s and 60’s.
As far as the cast goes, Rob Brown and Darrin Dewitt Henson are both perfectly cast in their respective roles and Denis Quad as Coach Ben Schwartzwalder delivers one of the best half time talks EVER!
Ernie Davis was a true sports hero. Everything from how he handles adversity and cheap shots to his work ethic and humility. I loved everything about his story and this film, and I have added it to my “must see” list because it really is Worth Buying.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The language of the film (a few swear words, taking God’s name in vain and numerous racial slurs) and one scene with Ernie and his girlfriend are my only concerns here. Other than that, it is definitely worth seeing and older students especially should see it.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
