The Express

    I often wonder why some movies are made. "The Express" is not one of them.

    Rob Brown, who has played athletes before in "Finding Forrester" and "Coach Carter," finds himself once again headlining this film as College Football Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, who was cut down in the prime of his life by leukemia. Rob Brown is developing into a young actor, which possesses the skills to project the subtle strength of a man who lived well, with a purpose. Ernie Davis was just one of the many cogs in the machine of the collective human spirit that eventually lifted the "negroes" of his era to a plateau of human endeavors where they can now compete in the United States with full parity. This story is Ernie Davis', and he was a great athlete and a greater man. Rob Brown does his story justice.

    Dennis Quaid, as Davis' color blind Syracuse Football Coach Ben Swartzwalder, does his usual fine job as the coach, who sought excellence within whomever he could mold into one of his "Orangemen." I usually don't find sports movies to go beyond formula and venture into worthwhile dramatic exercises, but I heartily suggest this film for anyone who can learn a life's lesson from a great story about a man known as "The Express."

    Rated PG at 130 minutes of runtime. Released on DVD January 20, 2009.