Movie #6 The Express

Reaching out goals and dreams is something we should never give up on no matter how tough things get or how impossible things may seem. That was the inspiration I received from the film I watched this weekend, which was The Express, the true story of Ernie Davis and the Syracuse orange men. According to Rich from the Sportable Movie Review, The Express is about a man named Ernie Davis who transforms a school (Syracuse) and captivates the nation by defying the racial barriers that so often restricted African Americans in society.

The film does exactly that, it really gave you a sense of how bad it was for African-Americans during that time and how badly they were discriminated on and off the football field. On the field was bad, depending on were the games were located. It was bad on the field by opposing fans yelling racial slurs and throwing trash and bottles at the African-American players. While traveling with the team on away games, they were always separated from the rest of the players and forced to sleep in tiny rooms on uncomfortable cots. As for off the field, fellow students would look at them as though did not belong on campus, pointing and making them seem they were from another planet. Ernie never gave up on his dreams and goals and pursued them no matter what the situation was.

The Express, was the story of a very talented African-American running back that was recruited by Jim Brown and Syracuse University. through out his years at Syracuse he helped lead the Orange men to national championships and victory in the Cotton Bowl, against their top opponent the Texas Longhorns. Through his hard determination and great talent he became the first African-American to receive the Heisman trophy. In the end of his college career, he is drafted by the Cleveland Browns and reunited with his once idol Jim Brown. Unfortunately Ernie Davis is diagnosed with Leukemia and unable to play one season with the Browns. With nothing else to do he announces to the press the awful news and has no choice but to move on from his football career. In the end he goes on to help Syracuse recruit their next star. Ernie Davis passed away at age 23.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, There's nothing remarkable about the way director Gary Fleder has brought The Express to the screen, this is a solid film that does justice to Davis' legacy. I do agree, the film was touching, tragic, and really kept you interested. it was such an inspirational story that made you wish you could have such heart and the power to let nothing get in your way. It was the great story of Ernie Davis. The film didn't have super special effects or anything that would make it remarkable aside from the story itself.