Iffy for 12+
Inspirational true story tackles race, football.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this film -- which was originally rated PG-13 and was re-edited to earn its PG -- revolves around the issue of race in America in the '50s and '60s and is fraught with racial epithets and racist attitudes. There's also a certain amount of violence -- including hard-hitting football action and also dirty tricks like a coach directing his players to hit an opponent at the site of an injury. There's also some salty tough-talk from a football coach and depictions of the segregation and racial divides in the American South in the '50s and '60s.
- Families can talk about the film's historical depictions of race and civil rights. How has America moved forward in the years since the era depicted in the film, when segregation and overt racism were rampant? How has it not? Families can also discuss the appeal of inspirational sports films. Are they a great way to explore history and human behavior, or an "easy out" for filmmakers thanks to their cliches and familiar moments?
The good stuff
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Messages: The entire film involves intense, extensive discussions of race in the America in the '60s, from segregation to "Jim Crow" laws to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s community organizing and marches. The symbols of the KKK and the Confederacy are seen on death threats. A character who has an athletic scholarship is reminded that, while football is nice, a college degree is even more important. The lead character's mother is flighty and leaves her son with his grandfather for several years. Much is made of the lead character's position as a role model and inspiration during the racially divided '50s and '60s in America. Discussion of terminal illness.
What to watch for
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Violence: Extensive on-field football action/violence, both within the context of fair play on the field and cheap shots after the whistle's blown. Football players are pelted with trash, with the threat that an angry crowd may throw bottles. Some fistfights.
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Sex: Some kissing and light undressing (blouse removed, underwear on) in the context of a long-term committed relationship. Discussion of interracial dating.
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Language: Occasional strong language, including "ass," "s--t," and "hell." Extensive, constant, and strong racial language, including the "N" word, "spook," "negro," "black," and more; a football player says to the lead character: "I'm going to kick your black ass back to Africa." "Retard" is used as an insult.
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Consumerism: Some logos visible, like Pepsi, Budweiser, Woolworths, Time magazine, and Ritz; characters sing a Pepsi jingle. Constant mention of universities and athletic teams like Syracuse University, Notre Dame, the UT Longhorns, the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Cleveland Browns, etc.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Beer is served.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
A true 5 star movie. by highrise511
If you wanna see a good movie, then this is a movie for you folks.
A black man winnin, doin black thangs, winnin tha white mans trophy.
NOTE: I only wrote that review in response to the negative review "Not exactly accurate" by SlipShadow. Its not a serious statement.
Remember people. This movie was only >>BASED<< off a true story.
My honest opinion of the movie:
This is one of the best movies i've seen this year. It's not the best movie ever made, but its really good. I laughed, I was amazed, I was entertained, and my girlfriend cryed. (Im a man, I dont cry).
There is one messege they left out, and I think that all athelets should get from this movie. DONT rely on sports. If you have the opportunity, such as a full paid scholarship to college, take advantage of it and get an education and a degree. It might come in handy. Even tho it wouldnt have helped the main character out much seeing as he......
-If you wanna see if the movie is good or not.... Just go see it.
5
The Express by conradwsba1
I really enjoyed this movie because Rob Brown did a very good job of playing Ernie Davis.
5
Great Movie!!!!!! by Ray62
I normally don't like "based on true stories", but this one was worth my time. I love history and you will learn much about the time in which Mr. Davis had to live. I would recommend this movie for the whole family.
4
Express My Thanks by blj2002
More movies like the Express would be a great service to the movie going population. Seeing an uplifting and enlightening movie that was well cast and well acted and well directed is a refreshing and pleasant surprise. If you want to understand what it takes to be successful, if you want to understand the injustices of racial prejudice that existed in some of our lifetimes, if you want to appreciate what it takes to overcome the challenges that many people face on their way to becoming successful against a great deal of opposition, then see this movie. Take your children and encourage your teenagers to see this film about real life heros. I had neve even heard of Ernie Davis before seeing the preview of this movie.
4
The Express by mgcarter
Great movie! One of the better sports movies with very realistic action
football scenes. It was all very believable and helped in telling this
powerful story. The film provides great insight into the life of
Syracuse great Ernie Davis, as well as what our country was going
through at the time. The movie depicts how Ernie is a true inspiration
to all of us and how we should live our lives. I highly recommend the
film and look forward to owning the DVD."
4
the express by corey8
Good family movie I enjoyed the content and actors. I would recommend it to friends and family.
5
The Express - Great Sports Movie by volkathy
Even for females - I really enjoyed this story - based on actual events that I was not previously aware of - go see this movie.
5
The Express by oh2beme1
My husband and my son saw this movie and loved it!! My son is a football fan, so being that it had to do with football he was excited about seeing it. Must see!! I think we will go again so that I can see it!!
5
The Express by orangeman67
The Express tells the story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy as the best football player in college each year. It starts when he was growing up in a coal town in Pennsylvania, then moved with his mother to Elmira, NY, and finally his years at Syracuse University. He led the Orangemen to their only national championship in his sophomore year - 1959, then two years later his talent was rewarded with the prestigious trophy.
But throughout the movie, the story deals with racism in the late 1950s and the 1960s, its impact on Ernie, and how he was able to deal with it, both as a youngster and later as a star football player. The racism occurs both in the North and the South.
The movie also deals with Ernie's relationship with his coach, Ben Schwarzwalder, a southerner himself, and a hard-nosed World War II veteran.
I'd recommend this movie to any sports fan, but also to families with teenage kids.
5
Don't Miss it by FanAndie
I am very surprised to see this movie is not playing in many theaters right now. It is just as good as the other fine sports movie playing right now Forever Strong. I highly reccommend this movie for its great portrayal of a young man who overcame obstacles to fulfill his dream and who gave that dream to the generations of young boys who came after him. You will not be disappointed, and this is coming from someone who does not even enjoy watching football!!