UFOria

Set against the backdrop of rural 1980s America, UFOria is an offbeat mix of comedy, romance, and fantasy that invites viewers along for a wild ride. The film follows Orville Spooner, a blue-collar dreamer and fraudster, Brother Bud, a charismatic but flawed televangelist, and Shelby Carpenter, an innocent supermarket checkout girl with a mystical secret. Unlikely though they may be, these unforgettable characters form the bedrock of UFOria, demonstrating that sometimes the most profound experiences are imbued with the most unlikely of people.

Orville, delightfully played by Fred Ward, is a down-on-his-luck gas station attendant with plenty of charm but not much money. Orville dreams of concocting a foolproof scam that will catapult him into riches and let him escape his humdrum life in a small town. Meanwhile, Harry Dean Stanton brings the eccentric character of Brother Bud to life. Bud is the epitome of a fraudulent televangelist who hopes that his successful church can save him from the depth of his own private vices.

Enter Shelby, the young checkout girl portrayed by the inimitable Cindy Williams, who turns Orville and Brother Bud’s world upside-down. Shelby firmly believes that she has been chosen by extraterrestrials to be taken aboard a spaceship. This conviction leads her on a quest for spiritual fulfillment and introduces her to an unimaginable destiny. The extraordinary belief and strength she possesses introduces a sweet narrative of comedy and suspense, which is facilitated with a thoughtful script that delves into themes of faith, redemption, and alien wonderment.

As their lives intersect and their destinies intertwine, comedy reigns supreme. Each character mirrors the others in their pursuit of a grand dream and winds up in a peculiar love triangle although, not in a traditional sense. Their bizarre journey stirs up an inspiring, sometimes hilarious, sometimes awkward exploration of the quirky side of the American dream.

Director John Binder's UFOria is an uncut gem of 80s cinema. It positions itself not only in the comedy genre but ingenely explores elements of drama and religious satire. The satire, in particular, is not offensive, rather astute, and fascinating, as it compels the characters and the viewers to consider deeper philosophical and existential ideas. Beyond this, it's a sweet-hearted film that deals with faith vs. skepticism, hope vs. cynicism; serving up some profound food for thought beneath its amusing, extraterrestrial surface.

The film’s visuals are a potent reminder of small-town America and the dreams that fuel its ordinary people. UFOria constructs an uncanny ambiance with its modest, rustic scenery juxtaposed against the skyward-looking, cosmic anticipation. It’s here where director Binder's use of visual elements plays a pivotal role. The use of vivid color grading, appropriate camera movements, and enchanting cinematography adds to the overall charm and appeal of this cinematic piece.

The film boasts strong performances from the leads which anchor the wilder aspects of the story. Harry Dean Stanton lends an incredible charm to the flawed yet strangely compelling Brother Bud while Fred Ward's Orville is a lovable yet cunning rascal. Cindy Williams' Shelby, though, is the heart of the narrative, showcasing wide-eyed wonder and sincerity, not to mention a palpable chemistry with the male leads.

Adding to the film's charm is its aptly chosen soundtrack that reflects both the characters' low-key rural setting and their star-crossed destinies. And though the characters are dealing with the potentially fraught subject matter, the story is told with an ever-present sense of humor, ensuring that the film remains accessible and enjoyable.

In a nutshell, UFOria is a warm, entertaining, and heart-touching film, a delightful narrative about the optimism that endures even when reality falls short of our dreams. It takes its viewers on an enlightening journey that teeters on the edge of bizarre and extraordinary, all while staying grounded in the universal human longing for transcendence and belonging.

It's a film where the everyday life of these small-town folks is transformed into an exhilarating journey towards our most enigmatic horizons. UFOria serves as a luminous testament to the idea that you can find the extraordinary in the most unexpected places, even if those places are out of this world.