Film Review: 'Victor'

Ever since he was a child, Victor Davis (Mark Lutz) has had the same ambition: to become the world's fastest competitive swimmer. Now, the Canadian swimmer seems on the path to doing just that, launching himself into the public eye after placing a record-breaking time in his first competition in the 1982 World Swimming Championships. Afterward, Victor and his devoted coach Cliff Barry (Ron Lea) make clear their future intentions for Victor: for him to win gold and break two more records at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

But over those two years, Victor's path to the Olympics becomes an uncertain one. In addition to unexpected health problems putting his training in jeopardy, Victor's brash attitude and cockiness often put him at odds with the media. But with the support of his family and friends, will Victor be able to conquer the odds?

For those unfamiliar with Canadian sports history, Victor is based on the real-life story of Victor Davis, an Olympic and world champion swimmer known for breaking world records for his 31 national titles and 16 medals in international competition before his retirement and death in 1989. Coming into this movie, however, I had no prior knowledge of Victor Davis's history, and anyone else watching Victor completely blind is sure to be shocked when they come to the heartbreaking end of Davis's legacy. This was likely especially true to those who watched Victor when it aired on the Hallmark Channel, given how the film would appear to be moving towards a typical Hallmark ending before hitting the audience with the cold hard truth behind this great athlete's tragic end.

Another reason Victor's conclusion is sure to strike a chord with viewers is tied in with this biographic film's greatest strength: a cast that puts their heart and soul into their characters. Mark Lutz (the writer/co-producer behind Victor and himself a former competitive swimmer) brings an infectious energy to Victor. Even as the movie opens with Victor as something of an obnoxious braggart, Lutz plays Victor's arrogant bravado in such a way that you can't help but love the guy. And thankfully, the film gives more than enough opportunity for Lutz to explore the softer and more sensitive side of Victor--and allow us to see Victor grow out of his cockiness.

The rest of the cast follows swiftly in Lutz's footsteps, bringing to life the palpable love and solidarity that existed between Victor Davis and the family and friends that stood by him through all the challenges life threw him. Ron Lea and Peter MacNeill are notably strong as Victor's coach Cliff Barry and father Mel Davis respectively, bringing the right mix of compassionate support and (in Cliff's case) no-nonsense tough love to make the close bond Victor has with each of them feel authentic. Sasha Roiz and Adam MacDonald are the notable gems as Victor's teammates Alex Baumann and Dave Kolisnik, and Jef Mallory makes the most of the unfortunately limited scenes we get of the relationship between Victor and his brother Greg. Polly Shannon is another highlight as Victor's girlfriend Donna Clavel, with Shannon and Lutz having enough chemistry to where, despite Victor and Donna only having a few of scenes together, they will have you invested with the relationship that sparks between them.

But as near perfect as Victor is casting-wise, its pacing proves less effective. The movie gets off on the wrong foot with the way it introduces Victor's life story, zigzagging between different points in his life before settling into a consistent framing device. It's not a good sign that after finishing the movie, I had to go back to watch the opening to make sure I got the timeline of events right. Additionally, there are a handful of moments throughout Victor where the story hits stretches of padding, mostly in the form of needlessly extended montages. As such, Victor could be difficult for some people to stay engaged with; a struggle not aided by the initial framing almost seeming to expect the viewer to already be well-versed on Victor Davis before watching.

(Victor even takes a hit when it comes to its otherwise excellent emotional core when it comes to its depiction of the infamous accident that ultimately claimed Victor's life. In addition to the notably hackneyed effects, the three actors involved in the scene--despite giving solid performances elsewhere in the film--fail to play it realistically. Polly Shannon and Amy Lalonde have ridiculously delayed reactions to the accident, while Mark Lutz gives no reaction at all)

But while its pacing troubles and the aforementioned botched scene do their damage, Victor's cast and the poignantly heartfelt nature make up for where the movie stumbles. Lutz gives an exceptional performance as a flawed but skilled athlete, with his co-stars rising to his level in a way that makes you invested in Victor's life and career--which, in turn, allows you to feel to some degree the devastation left by his senseless death. Add to that a conclusion that ends the film on the right mix of heartwarming and bittersweet, and you have a worthy biographic drama chronicling the life of Canada's most famous swimmer.

Score: 7.5 out of 10 electric carving knives.