Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown (VI), Charles S. Dutton

A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Flixster Users

74% liked it

813,797 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

110 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 9 min.

Directed by: Gary Fleder

Release Date: October 10, 2008

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009

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Stats: 6,717 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (6,717)


  • August 16, 2009
    A fact based film about Ernie Davis which is inspiring and touching. The film is sports based and unlike some of this nature, the football action works on screen. The acting is top notch, the direction moves well and the styling is perfect for the film.
  • June 7, 2009
    This was an inspirational sports flick about the first African American to win the Heisman trophy.
  • April 7, 2009
    Another well made true factual sporting film about an all star black American football star in the 50's/60's when racism was a very hot cookie in the States. The whole story, even though its true, isn't very original hehe they do tend to be all the same really,
    A poor boy having ...( read more)a hard time growing up as an outcast makes it good in the world of pro football due to his natural athletic abilities, wins over many peoples hearts and support but dies young from natural causes, missing his chance to really make his mark in the world.
    I have seen many good sporting films and they are always in the same vein, true or not, but they do seem to turn out well made and always make you feel good at the end or make you think, which is good. This film is no exception, its very very well made, looks really authentic capturing the era and problems of the time, has a great timeless soundtrack, little nuggets of real footage from the actual games and tugs at your heart strings throughout. It is predictable like all sport flicks but the fact its based on true events does make you ignore that, well you have to ignore that.
    The cast are all excellent, Quaid is good as the tough supportive coach and Brown is very good as Davis showing real love in his role, Dutton as Davis father is also very good in his short role adding real class to the whole film.

    I have to admit Americans sure know how to make a good sporting flick about their beloved national games, although Baseball doesn't fare as well as Football.
  • March 27, 2009
    "I won't tell him he'll be the next Ernie Davis, because there'll never be another Ernie Davis."

    A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

    REVIEW
    The Express is the true story...( read more) of Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy and what he went through in the late 50's and early 60's at Syracuse U following in the footsteps of Jim Brown. Most of us have never heard of him, and I didn't know his story until this movie was released. However after you watch this movie, you will wish that you had known whom he was and wonder why it took so long to tell his story. The movie stars Dennis Quaid, Charles S. Dutton, Omar Benson Miller and Rob Brown as Ernie Davis. Rob Brown is the young actor who also appeared in a couple basketball movies and that dancing movie with Antonio Banderas. The dialog between Brown and Quaid is very well handed, showcasing some intense talents by the two co-stars. With most of the movie taking place in the turbulent 50's, expect some racial tension, but at the same time also delivers an inspirational message about following your dreams and seizing the day.
  • January 20, 2009
    Great inspirational story. A wonderful young man with a great talent. He stuck to his guns and his believes and took it all the way. Man, how far we've come in 50 years...we have a Black President...thank god we evolved!!! If just all people could do the same we would be alright....( read more) Great movie...
  • November 22, 2009
    A wonderful, and truly inspirational film. I was hooked from the moment this film came on to the closing credits. Beautiful.
  • November 1, 2009
    I thought the film was good. The performances especially by Brown, Quaid, Miller, and Dutton are very good. The film reminded me of a combo of films like Remember the Titans, Rudy, The Invincible, Men of Honor, and Ray. The only negative with the film is the pacing of the film, w...( read more)hich is completely off.
  • October 25, 2009
    everything you expect from a film with this subject... though interesting, the cast were very shallow in their depth of character... esspecially Quaid. also seemed like they were really trying hard ot beef up the story line just adding in things to get more for your 90mins worth ...( read more)and jumping time on a whim.
  • September 29, 2009
    The Ernie Davis story; it's told from his child hood back in 1949 up until his death in 1964. For those who are sports fans, this movie is an instant classic in which I would put second only too "Remember The Titans", as we get an inside look at the child hood, life, and career o...( read more)f a true sports legend and those who surrounded him during his journey. It was amazinly done.

    For those who are not sportsmans - the movie has a solid plot with personal and life struggles,, it has an alright soundtrack (but ive seen better). Everyone knows that a great film needs a great soundtrack as it what truly brings some of the more emotional scenes alive; the movie however does lack that. It has top notch actors in Dennis Quaid and Rob Brown, and really just barley missed a beat. My only complaint is there is certain parts of the film that seem repeated, as if we seen this earlier in the film, but it happens rarley.

    In Conclusion I would say it's lack of soundtrack taking away from some of the better scenes that could be nothing short of amazing; and a storyline that sometimes seems repetive at points - it stands out as better than "Friday Night Lights", but not as quite up to par with Disneys "Remember The Titans".
  • September 17, 2009
    A great story not only about sports but about a man's life. I knew nothing about Ernie Davis before seeing this film, but now am better for it A must see

Critic Reviews


December 5, 2008
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

Steams ahead with express-train determination, scooping on to its cow-catcher any cinemagoer hoping he can outrun yet another true-life drama about black sportsmen overcoming bygone bigotry. full review

October 10, 2008
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Packages a real-life story of athletic triumph and social progress into an accessible, rousing melodrama that is no less potent for being almost entirely predictable.

October 10, 2008
Kyle Smith, New York Post

The movie might be a bit more interesting if Davis had more to him than simply graceful gumption and victimhood, and if the spaces around him could be filled with something. full review

October 10, 2008
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The Express plays for our sympathy -- and wins. full review

October 10, 2008
Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com

A cinematic touchdown. full review

October 9, 2008
Kyle Smith, KyleSmithOnline.com

Just about good enough to be the 40th best episode of Friday Night Lights. Which has aired 39 episodes. full review

October 9, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Express is involving and inspiring in the way a good movie about sports almost always is. full review

October 6, 2008
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Everything is literally and figuratively black and white in The Express. full review

View more The Express reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • boomersox
    March 16, 2009
    For a big football fan and movie lover, i enjoyed it alot. it shows how one coach can learns so much from one player and how one player can learn so much from one coach
  • dreamcatcher318
    November 6, 2008
    The Express is a very good movie to watch!

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