"THE EXPRESS: THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Dennis Quaid as BEN SCHWARTZWALDER Rob Brown as ERNIE DAVIS Omar Benson Miller as JACK BUCKLEY Clancy Brown as ROY SIMMONS SR. Charles S. Dutton as WILLIE “POPS” DAVIS Darrin Dewitt Henson as JIM BROWN Rated PG Studio: Universal Directed by: Gary Fleder Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Ernie Davis may not have been the first African American to play for Syracuse University, and he wasn’t the first African American football star to play for the Orangemen (that would have to go to Jim Brown), but he was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy.
“The Express” is Davis’ story, from his early days facing racism when he grew up to his college football career that made history. Even though he was breaking racial barriers, he faced many challenges. However, this didn’t stop him from being one of the best players in the college game. The film follows Davis’ career at Syracuse and the tragic turn of events that ensued after being tapped by the Cleveland Browns.
WHAT I LIKED
Two things photograph very well for motion pictures: period pieces and football. A movie like “The Express” has a very slick look with rich colors to show a New York autumn. Additionally, the football moments are exciting and fun. Even when the movie isn’t perfect, the fantastic look of a film like this helps save the day.
As a lifelong resident of Ohio, and a passive Cleveland Browns fan, I enjoy the home-town feel of this movie. The story of Ernie Davis is touching and tragic, and it does deserve to be told.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
There have been so many of these inspirational sports films coming out in recent years, that it is starting to become a bit tedious. Even the story of breaking racial barriers is becoming a bit of a cliche. After movies like “Remember the Titans” and “Glory Road,” the ground being covered isn’t that fresh.
At times, “The Express” couldn’t decide whether it was telling a story of racial tensions, a general inspirational sports film or the tragic biography of Ernie Davis, so there was a bit of a focus problem. And if you know the true story behind Davis’ life, there aren’t many surprises. Plus, if you read the DVD case, you’ll know how much of the film turns out.
Finally, in an attempt to show the racial tensions in full force, the movie does rewrite history by making the West Virginia fans into awful racists, and that game never existed as shown on screen. I’m all for dramatic license, but I took this segment of the film to show that the folks in Hollywood really think about all of us in flyover country.
DVD FEATURES
This release has a fine slate of bonus features. In addition to a commentary track with director Gary Fleder, there’s a slate of deleted scenes, for which Fleder also provides commentary. There’s a “Making of The Express” featurette, as well as one examining the story of Ernie Davis. Additional featurettes include shooting Syracuse University in the film and how the football scenes were developed and shot.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Ernie Davis fans, Orangemen and Cleveland Browns supports (and yes, even Art Model).
