The Express

Ernie Davis was a two-time all-American football player, helped Syracuse win its first national championship and became the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy—all before tragedy struck the superstar at age 23. He was an incredible man who was able to rise above and break racial barriers. On one hand, director Gary Fleder follows the standard sports-movie formula, and Dennis Quaid offers only a one-note performance as the constantly growling coach. On the other, Rob Brown adds needed charm and charisma as Davis, and the editing uses effective quick cuts of black-and-white, authentic-looking footage to make The Express worth catching.