'Jockey,' filmed at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, is a winning debut for director Clint Bentley

“Jockey,” Clint Bentley’s debut feature as a director, is a delightful subversion of the typical sports movie.

It’s an assured film featuring outstanding performances, which of course helps a lot. At times you feel as if you know where the story is heading (Bentley co-wrote the script with Greg Kwedar), and you might.

But if what happens along the way is engaging enough, that doesn’t really matter. That’s how it is with “Jockey,” which doesn’t shy away from occasional sports-movie cliches but also doesn’t become trapped by them. Winning and losing are not as important as getting in the game and giving it what you’ve got, no matter the cost.

The cost has been steep for Jackson Silva (Clifton Collins Jr.), an aging jockey with a lot of wins and seemingly more injuries. He’s broken down and slipping, he knows. But he’s good at riding horses. Really good. He knows them, understands them, and knows how to win. He figures he has at least a couple more seasons left in him; a disinterested observer would think otherwise.

Collins and Parker have an easygoing chemistry that feels real

Jackson also wants to hold on because of Ruth Wilkes (Molly Parker), the trainer he’s worked with for years and with whom he has become close. We glean from their conversations that they’ve never quite reached the heights they’d hoped for, a step or two down from the top and mired in place.

Then they get a horse that looks like the real deal — the kind of horse he never thought he’d get to ride, Jackson tells Ruth. Carrying a few extra pounds (in the jockey world, at least, where ounces mean seconds), he begins to work out and maybe smoke a little less. Or not.

This is when Gabriel Boullait (Moises Arias) comes into Jackson’s life. He’s young, wants to be a jockey and is willing to clean stables and do whatever else it takes to make it, riding whenever he gets the chance. Jackson has seen him at other tracks. (“Jockey” was shot in Phoenix, although with the exception of a few glorious sunsets, if you’re not familiar with Turf Paradise it could be any city with palm trees.)

When they talk, Gabriel drops the bombshell: He’s Jackson’s son from a previous, ill-fated relationship.

Jackson denies it, resents it and wonders if it’s true. The development of their relationship is at the heart of the film, as Jackson offers tips, training techniques. He sees promise in Gabriel (“I hear you have light hands,” Ruth tells him, obviously after Jackson has told her so).

The acting is strong, and Bentley is always in charge

A big race is coming up, and complications arise. The story needs the developments to advance, but you might be just as happy spending time hanging around the characters. There is one remarkable scene in which the jockeys are sitting around talking about their injuries (Bentley uses a lot of non-actors in the film), grouped in a circle in what would sound like a game of one-upmanship if they weren’t so matter of fact about it.

Broken backs seem chillingly common. They break their noses the way most people stub their toes. At one point Jackson asks Gabriel if he’s ever “really” been hurt. Garbriel ticks off a list of broken bones and other painful injuries.

But really hurt? No, not really.

It’s a different world, one that Bentley, the son of a jockey, obviously understands.

Collins is so wonderfully genuine, so believable as someone who has seen a lot of stories like this play out and has a pretty good idea how this one ends, but wants to hang onto the reins for as long as he can anyway.

Parker brings a slow-burn intensity to Ruth, balancing a lot of emotions as she tries to help her friend while ensuring the best outcomes for everyone. And Arias successfully inhabits a young man trying to figure out his life and his place in everyone else’s.

But it’s Bentley who’s always in control. He frames shots beautifully (cinematographer Adolpho Veloso hits all the right notes) and creatively. He shoots one race entirely focused on Collins’ face. The chances he takes pay off, making “Jockey” a winner.

'Jockey' 4.5 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: Clint Bentley.

Cast: Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker, Moises Arias.

Rating: R for language.

Note: In theaters Jan. 14.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Jockey,' filmed in Phoenix, stars Clifton Collins Jr., Molly Parker