Parents' Guide to The Man Who Loved UFOs

Two words: Leonardo Sbaraglia. For over two decades the Argentinian actor has graced screens across various continents to deliver work that showcases his versatility, but in The Man Who Loved UFOs he's given the rare opportunity to disappear within the character. At first it's difficult to recognize the sensitive Sbaraglia in the manic José de Zer as the actor's eyes, which usually hold profound melancholy, seem to be two rockets waiting to launch into space. With each scene it becomes a treat to watch him follow the character down a rabbit hole and witness what he's discovering in the process. It's a beautiful treasure hunt of how far this actor will go to discover how far his character is pushing him.

Watching footage of the real-life de Zer, Sbaraglia has gone beyond mimicry to create a compelling portrait of someone who was so engulfed by their passion, they created a universe of their own within the world they lived in. The actor and the film are too smart to make any declarations or suggestions of mental illness and they avoid judging de Zer for his actions. It's too bad the script can't always keep up with the wondrous work Sbaraglia is doing, which at times makes the film drag. But whenever the camera focuses on him, he delivers a spectacle that's both deeply human and out of this world.