A satisfying ‘Road’

Mike Reilly ignores that advice with “Road to Victory,” a probing look at the intersection between athleticism and manhood. The result is a flawed but fascinating movie that traffics in complicated characters without ever sounding trite.

Reilly, who also wrote and directed “Victory, stars as Elliot, a promising college quarterback whose professional dreams may be dashed by a vicious on-field hit. The subsequent concussion gives professional scouts pause, but Elliot has more than the gridiron to worry about. He just met a dynamic young woman named Anna (Julia Anderson) and he’s unable to sexually satisfy her.

His impotence becomes a major issue between them. She’s a sexually-charged stripper who never had a celibate relationship before. Elliot must try to keep their relationship alive while juggling football practice, doctor visits and his own personal demons. 

“Victory” takes a sophisticated approach to Elliot’s sexual dysfunction. It’s hard to imagine a mainstream film treating the subject with this level of delicacy, or with such compelling results. Elliot’s relationship with Anna is rocky and raw, but Anderson finds the smaller truths behind her character to keep their bond believable.

Reilly even squeezes in a steroids subplot with such precise strokes it adds another layer of reality to this football side of the story.

Not every scene works as intended, and a few clunky edits remind us of the film’s modest roots. But Reilly’s ambition finds far more success than failure.

“Road to Victory” shows what happens when a smart young filmmaker is brave enough to shove conventional wisdom aside.