Top Box Office Movies - Road to Victory

Road to Victory (2007) RTV Pictures
1 hr. 33 mins.
Starring: Mike Reilly, Julia Anderson, Peter Abrams, Poppi Reiner, Winston Brown, Clay St. Thomas, Keith D. Humphrey
Directed by: Mike Reilly
Produced by: Jonathon Kitchen
This film is rated: NR

Road to Victory

Rating:

E-MAIL FRANK OCHIENG

Writer-director-star Mike Reilly’s introspective independent film Road to Victory is a multi-layered celebration of internal angst and societal conflict. Poetically crafted and well-acted, Reilly’s insightful narrative tells the sordid tale of an unconventional three-dimensional love story that puts to shame the arbitrary fluff that its bigger, mainstream counterpart flicks relish with perfunctory imagination. Resourcefully intriguing, sentimental and cunningly relevant, Road to Victory juggles its revolving subject matters with effortless candor and consideration. This is a thought-provoking, intimate film that is timely based on today’s headlines where self-medicating and ill-advised usage of steroids and other unassuming agents are the unpredictable detriment to promising and established upstart/collegiate/professional athletes.

Skillfully conceived, Reilly’s personal Victory may not just be the caustic commentary on the modern athlete’s decision-making malaise. This cautionary exposition delves into other foundations grounded in the arena of true love and loyalty to the disenchantment with the so-called prestigious medical/health care community. Reilly’s stark point of view in the way he presents the welcomed cynicism and frustration behind his protagonist’s prism of inner pain is uniquely realized. The scripting is resiliently rounded and competitive. Thankfully, it never stoops to the cliched conventions of the probing themes it explores. Basically, Road to Victory is a quaint indie gem for the thinking person’s moviegoer that appreciates a solid balance in moving, inspired storytelling.

Reilly stars as Elliott Baynes, an articulate and soft-spoken college football player considered a top prospect for the pros as gridiron passer. Elliott may lead an exciting life on the football field but behind the scenes he’s a lean and mean grieving specimen with nostalgic, unsolved issues. In contemplative mode (particularly shown through noteworthy video footage) we learn of Elliott’s heartache through a demanding childhood. He had a mother who passed away at an early age and a distraught father (an extremely talented football star in his own right) that never coped with such a loss. So the incompleteness is a constant in Elliott’s chaotic existence despite wearing the gallant mask of a boundless blue chipper.

After experiencing what is deemed a horrifying head-on football injury, Elliott’s spotty play on the field is quite evident and this threatens his marketability to his team, his coaches, the scouts and his potential lucrative future in the NFL. This is certainly a physical and psychological blow to a disciplined athlete whom we observe working out regularly with the weights in the sanctity of his training center of a basement. Still, how will this injury affect Elliott Baynes outside of his signal calling duties on the football field?

During an anatomy lecture, Elliott cozies up to a fellow classmate named Anna (Julia Anderson). Anna is a breathtakingly beautiful brunette who strips on the side and gains an undeniable sense of liberation when performing on stage to her transfixed gawkers. As an attractive couple, Elliott and Anna should be considered an explosive, adventurous tandem willing to take it to the limits sensually. Unfortunately, Elliott sexually has trouble pleasing the amorous-driven Anna and is bewildered by his inability to achieve an erection. Could this be a direct result from his rough-and-tough physicality on the playing field?

Understandably alarmed, Elliott consults several doctors and the revelation is finally discovered...he has a very low testosterone level. Thus, Elliott struggles with the conception of his questionable manhood as if this isn’t enough to upset the apple cart of things that already plagues the complex quarterback. As for Anna, she’s bewildered by Elliott’s problematic performance in the bedroom and tries to stimulate him but to no avail. Because Anna is a 21-year old sexual being at her peak, she is feeling rather neglected by Elliott’s carnal malfunctioning. What eventually transpires is a flustering face-off between two lost souls that are searching for something concrete and conclusive beyond their physical emptiness.

Can Elliott overcome his love-making deficiencies and deal with the ultimate choice of hanging up his cleats when it comes to his health-related concerns? Will Anna find the sexual comforts and freedom with other men as her patience is tested with a brooding Elliott? Plus, how will the twosome deal with the past emotional baggage being piled on by their current obstacles of complicated intimacy?

Consequently, Road to Victory strikes a winning chord when weaving its selected battles in a war of perpetual disillusionment. Reilly cleverly examines these circulating afterthoughts by astutely spotlighting the futile links trying to sustain a chain of meaning and resolution. The film is never preachy or apologetic in its brand of pathos—the message is a straight-forward one that puts its dire consequences on display. There's a fresh and fascinating manner in how Reilly approaches the distinctive realm of Elliott and Anna’s flickering relationship that feels real and genuine in joyfulness and jeopardy. Overall, the contemporary turmoil regarding performance-enhancing drugs, indifference and inactive medical system and other grief-stricken tendencies that are served up in Victory score more convincingly than a Super Bowl touchdown pass.

The performances are thoroughly showcased in poignancy and potency. As Elliott, Reilly demonstrates a penetrating agony that’s wisely quiet and realistic. Equally, Anderson’s Anna holds her own as an anguished exhibitioner that has her share of instability but cherishes her chided partner through his rotating highs and lows. Clearly, the chemistry percolates between Reilly and Anderson as the audience is drawn into their abyss of sensuality and strife. The film’s tone is methodical and meditative which heightens the lyrical melodramatics. In addition, the soothing soundtrack (music by Surque) is vastly intoxicating and adds to the mounting tenderness and tension.

Inquisitively, Road to Victory’s tagline poses the forethought “when reality and fate collide...could you sustain?” Well, if it’s any indication this sentiment could be applied to the impressive vision of Reilly’s filmmaking finesse that emphatically sustains itself with engaging creativity.

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Frank Ochieng
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