UFOria

January. 01,1981      PG
Rating:
6.2
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Sheldon Bart (Fred Ward) is a drifter, and a small-time con man. He meets his old friend, Brother Bud (Harry Dean Stanton), a big-time con man into faith healing and fencing stolen cars, at his revival tent outside a small town. While he's helping Brother Bud, he falls in love with Arlene (Cindy Williams), a local supermarket clerk who believes in UFOs and is deeply religious and deeply lonely. When Arlene has a vision of a coming UFO, everyone deals with it in their own way.

Cindy Williams as  Arlene Stewart
Harry Dean Stanton as  Brother Bud Sanders
Fred Ward as  Sheldon Bart
Harry Carey, Jr. as  George Martin
Robert Gray as  Emile
Darrell Larson as  Toby
Peggy McCay as  Celia Martin
Hank Worden as  Colonel
Joe Unger as  Gas Station Attendant
William Callaway as  Gardan

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Reviews

Lawbolisted
1981/01/01

Powerful

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VeteranLight
1981/01/02

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

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BallWubba
1981/01/03

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

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Fleur
1981/01/04

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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greasyfilms
1981/01/05

I watched this on youtube (illegally, but where else can you see it). I heard of it years ago. If better known, it would be considered a minor classic. It's similar to Melvin & Howard or other early Jonathan Demme movies. It's funny, always interesting, got a great soundtrack, good performances all around, a thoughtful quote worthy script, and unlike a lot of similar "indie" quirky movies that came later, it never puts it's small town characters down for their goofy beliefs or marginal lifestyles. Check out UFOria and tell your friends. It's amazing that a major studio made it. The director sadly never made another feature as a writer director. He's got a good light touch, and Cindy Williams holds her own as a movie star.

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Jason Forestein
1981/01/06

UFOria is among the strangest films I've ever encountered, but, frankly, I'm better for knowing it. Like True Stories, Raising Arizona, or Repo Man, it occupies that uncategorizable category of films that appeared during the 1980s--a little surreal, a little funny, and a little confusing. Of course, it's also a little great. Plot? I'm not entirely sure it's important to point out what the film's three characters accomplish (not much), but it is important to point them out: Arlene, a woman who dreams of flying saucers and awaits their arrival, Brother Bud, a con artist, and Sheldon, a good old boy. There is a story, and it's bizarre, but those three individuals (emphasis on that word) are the film's sole purpose. As much as anything can be, UFOria is a character study. And what does one need for a character study? Great actors. Fortunately, UFOria has them in spades. Cindy Williams is perfect as Arlene, so hopeful and faithful, and Fred Ward is great as Sheldon. For those that have seen Tremors, please know that that performance was simply a reprise of this one. Finally, we come to that master of American cinematic acting--Harry Dean Stanton. I could warble endlessly about his virtues and world-weary visage. I won't wax poetic. As he does in virtually every movie he appears, Harry knocks your socks off and makes you happy to watch him work. UFOria is not for every taste; it's completely off its rocker, but it's worth it if you can let yourself go. Fans of those aforementioned masterpieces of the 1980s should enjoy this little movie tremendously, if they can find it.

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bernard-doyle
1981/01/07

This is one of my favourite films. Unfortunately it didn't get a mainstream release here in Sydney. Instead it got released through an art-house theatre (The Valhalla). It could be classified as a country and western comedy with a dash of sci-fi I guess.The opening scenes establish that the central character, Sheldon, (played by Fred Ward) is a man, who, for all his external bravado is in fact an unhappy, lonely, drifter who badly needs an escape to a better life. He meets his perfect match, Arlene, played appealingly by Cindy Williams. She sees through Sheldon's facade immediately. She catches him shoplifting in the Supermarket she works in and sees through him in an instant (Waylon Jennings wouldn't go in for shoplifting). Not that Arlene isn't lonely herself. Sheldon manages to seduce Arlene, intending to leave her afterwards. Despite his misgivings about her belief in flying saucers, he finds himself unable to move on.As the other reviewers have said, the supporting cast is great as well. Harry Dean Stanton is great as the phony "Brother Bud", the hippy grocery packer, the "Colonel", etc etc.An absolute gem.

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hippiedj
1981/01/08

This amiable piece of Americana was unfortunately not given a decent release, and it took until 1986 for this film to get released in repertory cinemas and find its audience.Cindy Williams (Arlene) is charming as ever as a born-again Christian grocery store clerk who believes salvation will be coming to earth in a flying saucer. Fred Ward is a drifter who takes up with her and while using her for his benefit, falls for her as well. Harry Dean Stanton as Brother Bud teams up with Ward to exploit the space theory and start tent revivals on the predicted landing sight, charging admission and gathering more donations. Now Brother Bud seems to have a side job that involves hauling hot cars, so that brings in the interest of the law as well. Poor Arlene, it seems everyone has taken this thing way out of proportion and fears they'll lose their true faith and mission. And how will it be resolved? Well, you know something special has to appear and save the day!This is an amiable film, with plenty of likeable characters whether they are good and sweet or downright cons. Cindy Williams steals the show with her naive Arlene always reading the tabloids and committed to spreading the good news of Jesus' return from space. Sure, you learn a few things about the nature of man, right and wrong, and sticking to what you believe, but golly, it just leaves you so darn happy and smiling after it's all over. It will make you feel good about yourself too.Uforia is still available on VHS and is a nifty title to have in a collection--it's a film you can show to friends and they will definitely be surprised and thank you for it. That's the experience I've had, and after all these years the film's story and cleverness holds up well.

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