The Express, Universal Pictures’ latest sports biopic, is guaranteed to please sports and schmaltz lovers of all ages. The story centers on the life of Ernie Davis, the first African American athlete to win college football’s prestigious Heisman Trophy, paying particular attention to the racial barriers he confronted and shattered as a standout running back at Syracuse University.
Robert C. Gallagher’s book The Elmira Express: the Story of Ernie Davis serves as the springboard for Charles Leavitt’s script, which is brought to life by director Gary Fleder. The film spans from Davis’ childhood spent with his grandparents in a Pennsylvania coal town to his tragic and untimely death from leukemia at age 23.
Rob Brown, who starred alongside Samuel L. Jackson in 2005’s Coach Carter, stars as the college-age Davis as he evolves from an ambitious athlete to a dynamic young man determined to use his natural abilities to advance a cause—combating racial injustice—greater than sports. Brown’s performance is adequate, but at times lacks the vigor necessary to capture the compelling nature of Davis’ character, which shines more brightly in Gallagher’s text. Even so, the character remains inspiring enough to incite even a few tears.
Dennis Quaid plays Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder, a man who rejects the principles of racism but struggles to stand against the cruel realities of his time. Quaid’s performance is neither awe-inspiring nor convincing. His throaty voice sounds like a cross between Christian Bale’s Batman and one of those “truth” anti-smoking ads. More importantly, there are scenes in which he fails to come across as persuasive or credible while speaking to Davis and the team about serious racial issues. But this may be intentional: as the plot advances, Schwartzwalder’s commitment to Davis and the civil rights cause comes through more clearly, reflecting how the coach is inspired and influenced by his star player.
The film’s selling points are undoubtedly the football scenes. Fleder puts viewers on the field and allows them to enjoy the exhilarating experience of a ride aboard “the express.” The game scenes also reveal the bitter treatment that Davis received from opposing fans and players. It is important to note that the film, which is rated PG, was edited from PG-13, and therefore does not portray the full range of hatred experienced by Davis. Nevertheless, Fleder is able to capture a ubiquitous evil and present it clearly for an audience of all ages.
The Express is not the greatest sports movie of all time or the greatest football movie ever made, but to classify it as merely a sports film would be selling it short. Ernie Davis left a significant imprint on sports and college football, but his accomplishments on the field made an even greater impact on the battle to tear down the walls of racial inequality that permeated all aspects of American society. Learning this story alone makes the film a worthwhile watch.
