Review of “The Man Who Loved UFOs”: The Art of Crafting and Marketing a Sensational Hoax

The Man Who Loved UFOs is a 2024 Argentine drama directed by Diego Lerman, featuring notable performances from Leonardo Sbaraglia, Sergio Prina, Osmar Núñez, Renata Lerman, María Merlino, Agustín Rittano, and Norman Briski.

This film narrates the intriguing story of José de Zer, an entertainment journalist who crafted one of the most sensational alien phenomena in Latin American television history. Although the film is based on the fascinating exploits of an individual who fabricated extraordinary events to boost ratings, the screenplay by Diego Lerman and Adrián Biniez falls short of effectively capturing its essence.

Leonardo Sbaraglia’s portrayal of José de Zer is a highlight, propelling the film forward, yet aside from his commendable performance and a few engaging scenes, the film struggles to maintain viewer interest throughout its 107-minute runtime.

The Man Who Loved UFOs made its global debut on Netflix on October 18, 2024, alongside select theatrical releases in Argentina.

A Tale of Sensationalism in Alien Sightings

Set in the 1980s, the plot follows journalist José de Zer and his cameraman Chango as they travel to the small town of La Candelaria. There, they investigate strange claims of alien sightings and extraterrestrial interactions. Their six-month stay in the hills involves exploring caves and filming anything that might edge them closer to discovering the truth about extraterrestrials. Their endeavor transforms into a media sensation, largely due to José’s charismatic presentation.

Ultimately, it’s revealed to be a meticulously crafted deception—a deliberate strategy to generate high ratings for the television station and boost local tourism. In the narrative, this ruse is orchestrated by Isadora Lopez Cortese alongside Pedro Echevarria, the president of the Cerro Mining Cooperative.

The Man Who Loved UFOs examines José’s transformation of a lie into popular culture and sheds light on its repercussions for his professional and personal life. The narrative explores the challenges brought about by sudden popularity and the mental toll on a media manipulator. However, the underlying themes are not convincingly delivered and serve to slow down the storytelling, which is a significant drawback of this film.

The official Netflix description of the movie reads:

“In late 1980s Argentina, a reporter’s investigation into alien activity is nearly halted by a lack of evidence — until he decides to fabricate his own.”

Leonardo Sbaraglia Shines as José de Zer

In the role of José de Zer, Sbaraglia portrays a charming presenter exploiting the situation to acquire wealth through an elaborate hoax. His success leads him to fame, appearances on talk shows, and unexpected encounters with fans, but this also results in a constant demand for new material to deceive viewers, engendering a sense of neurosis.

Despite its shortcomings, the screenplay presents a wealth of opportunity for Sbaraglia to showcase his talent, and he delivers a compelling performance full of contrasts—both loud and subtle, perfectly capturing the character’s dynamic essence. The supporting cast, particularly Sergio Prina as cameraman Carlos Chango Torres, also contributes solid performances.

The Man Who Loved UFOs Concludes with an Ambiguous Ending

José de Zer’s actions raise questions about journalistic ethics, yet the film diverts attention from this critical aspect. Instead, it emphasizes José’s unwavering resolve to maintain his fabricated narrative, keeping viewers captivated with increasingly sensational tales.

This incessant pressure to produce thrilling alien stories adversely affects his mental health, leading to bitterness and frustration, especially towards his adoring fans.

The film takes an unusual approach, predominantly portraying the admirable attributes of a skilled deceiver and showing his efforts in a sympathetic light rather than criticizing them. Such portrayals in gangster films invite scrutiny because they often present wrongdoers as products of their environments.

In contrast, José de Zer was not a victim of circumstance but rather pursued fame and fortune knowingly. Yet the film renders him a casualty of celebrity, diverting empathy from the individuals whose trust he betrayed. A particularly bizarre moment occurs when José is whisked away by a UFO, leaving his daughter and onlookers in awe.

This ambiguous ending raises questions about the intentions of the filmmakers, as the real José de Zer passed away in a hospital on April 2, 1997, suffering from Parkinson’s disease and esophageal cancer. Years after his death, investigations revealed that his reports were fabricated to mislead the public.

Currently, The Man Who Loved UFOs is available for streaming on Netflix. While it offers a decent viewing experience, viewers should not expect a faithful biographical account.

Source