What surprised your reviewer the most about The Express was not how the well played ending still came as a shock even though its particulars were already known, but how this drama rose above the countless other race-related sports flicks. Indeed, such a film had pretty much the same playing field to cover as Remember the Titans, Glory Road, and Pride—all recent flicks that are also based on real events. But it does so in an amazingly fresh fashion, doling out a story so emotionally stirring that it does not plod along like a Movie-of-the-Week but as an original underdog tale. And yes, there are times when it swoons a bit too much to its own dramatic strains, but such are the trappings of a true crowd-pleaser. In the PG-13-rated The Express, Syracuse running back Ernie Davis (Brown) overcomes adversity and racism to become the first African-American to receive the Heisman Trophy. Director Gary Fleder, who is known more for crafting thrillers (Kiss the Girls, Runaway Jury) than heart-tugging drama, paints the ‘60s on an amazingly palpable palette. It helps that he has assembled a letter-prefect cast to pull it off. Brown embodies the winning personality of Davis to great effect. And though he is no stranger to sports dramas as a player (Everybody’s All American, The Rookie), Quaid assumes the humbling mantle of cantankerous coach like a true pro, giving the film many of its most memorable scenes. At times, the action- backed by a oftentimes overpowering soundtrack -comes off a tad over-dramatic. Regardless, The Express still packs a wallop. Bottom line: Touchdown.