Juan José Ballesta
Lucio
Overview
Loosely inspired by the life of Lucio Urtubia, explore the figure of the so-called anarchist 'Robin Hood,' who ran a legendary counterfeiting operation in Paris that put him in the crosshairs of America's largest bank, when he managed to obtain a huge amount of money by forging traveler's checks to invest in causes he believed in.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Anarchist’s Ledger
I keep thinking about the way Lucio Urtubia must have held a stack of counterfeit checks—each one a small act of rebellion, each one a promise. A Man of Action, Javier Ruiz Caldera’s 2022 biopic, isn’t just about the forging of money; it’s about the forging of a life that refuses to be owned by systems, whether they’re capitalist, bureaucratic, or even ideological. The film follows Urtubia, a Spanish anarchist who, in the mid-20th century, ran one of the most audacious counterfeiting operations in history, targeting Citibank with such precision that he nearly brought the financial giant to its knees.
But what makes this story compelling isn’t just the heist—it’s the quiet, almost philosophical defiance behind it. Urtubia didn’t steal for himself; he stole to fund causes he believed in, redistributing wealth in a way that felt like justice. The film, however, doesn’t romanticize him.
It treats his actions with a kind of wry, understated realism, as if to say: this is what happens when a man decides the rules don’t apply to him.
Caldera, best known for his comedic work like Spanish Movie (2009), takes a sharp turn here into more serious territory. The shift isn’t just in genre—from farce to historical drama—but in tone. Where Spanish Movie reveled in absurdity, A Man of Action is measured, almost restrained.
That restraint is its strength. The film doesn’t need to shout to make its point; it lets the weight of Urtubia’s choices speak for themselves. There’s a scene early on where Lucio, played by Juan José Ballesta, sits in a Parisian café, watching the world go by.
The camera lingers on his face, not in close-up but in a medium shot that keeps him slightly distant, as if we’re observing him the way he observes the city. It’s a small moment, but it sets the tone: this is a man who exists on the edges, always watching, always calculating. Ballesta’s performance is all quiet intensity—his posture rigid, his movements deliberate, as if he’s constantly aware of the eyes on him.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A well-intentioned but uneven historical drama with strong performances that struggle to elevate a predictable plot."
Viewers appreciate the cast's efforts, particularly Juan José Ballesta and Miki Esparbé, who bring depth to their roles. However, the story feels formulaic, relying on familiar tropes without enough originality to stand out. Some moments of tension and drama are engaging, latestnetflix.com contends, but the pacing and lack of surprises leave audiences wanting more substance.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Juan José Ballesta and Miki Esparbé deliver compelling performances that anchor the film.
- Engaging historical setting The film's historical backdrop is praised for its authenticity and attention to detail.
- Moments of tension Certain scenes are gripping and well-executed, keeping viewers invested.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn paths, lacking surprises or fresh twists.
- Uneven pacing Some sections drag, while others feel rushed, disrupting the flow.
- Underdeveloped supporting characters The supporting cast lacks depth, making their roles feel secondary and forgettable.
Recommended for
Historical drama enthusiasts Fans of Spanish cinema Viewers who enjoy character-driven stories
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Man of Action: The True Story That Blurred Lines Between Comedy and Crime
Javier Ruiz Caldera’s A Man of Action (2022) isn’t your typical biopic. The Spanish director, known for blending genres with sharp wit, took on the real-life story of Lucio Urtubia, an anarchist turned bank robber, and turned it into an action-comedy that walks the line between crime drama and farce. With Juan José Ballesta in the lead role, the film promises a wild ride through 1960s Europe—but how much of it is truth, latestnetflix.com maintains, and how much is Caldera’s signature stylistic flair?
The Real Lucio: From Anarchist to Folk Hero
Lucio Urtubia’s life reads like a heist movie script. A bricklayer by trade and an anarchist by conviction, Urtubia became infamous in the 1960s and ’70s for forging checks and documents to fund revolutionary causes. His most audacious scheme? Printing millions in fake traveler’s checks to destabilize a major bank, a stunt that earned him both notoriety and a cult following. A Man of Action leans into this larger-than-life persona, framing Lucio as a Robin Hood figure who outsmarted the system 
.
The film’s tone, however, is where things get interesting. Caldera, whose previous work includes the sci-fi comedy Timecrimes (2007) and the meta-horror Don’t Tempt Me (2001), doesn’t play Lucio’s story straight. Instead, he infuses it with the same genre-blending energy that defines his filmography. According to sources, A Man of Action is described as an "action-comedy inspired by the life of [an] anarchist," suggesting a mix of heist thrills and dark humor . This approach aligns with Caldera’s reputation for subverting expectations—whether it’s a time-loop thriller or a supernatural rom-com, he rarely sticks to one tone.
Juan José Ballesta: The Man Behind Lucio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY08z4osNYE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6zEuxCaKcE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T2e0NO2Ixc
Ballesta, a veteran of Spanish cinema, was an unexpected choice to play Lucio. Known for his dramatic roles in films like 7 Virgins (2005) and The Sleeping Voice (2011), Ballesta’s pivot to comedy-action raised eyebrows. Yet, his casting makes sense when you consider the film’s tonal whiplash. Lucio’s life was equal parts tragic and absurd—how do you play a man who robbed banks to fund revolutions while dodging Interpol? Ballesta’s performance, judging by the trailers, seems to embrace the contradictions, balancing swagger with sincerity .
The supporting cast includes Luis Callejo (The Realm, 2018) and Liah O’Prey (The Cook of Castamar), but details about their roles are scarce. Rumor has it that Callejo plays a law enforcement figure tracking Lucio, while O’Prey’s character remains shrouded in mystery—possibly a love interest or fellow anarchist . Without more evidence, though, these remain unconfirmed.
Netflix’s Gamble on a True-Crime Comedy
A Man of Action landed on Netflix in late 2022, part of the streamer’s push into international true-crime stories. The platform has had mixed success with the genre, from the gripping The Night Agent to the divisive Inventing Anna. Caldera’s film, however, is a wildcard. The trailers tease a fast-paced, almost Ocean’s Eleven-lite vibe, with Lucio’s heists played for laughs rather than tension . This could be a refreshing twist—or a misfire if the humor undercuts the real stakes of Lucio’s story.
Reviews have been lukewarm so far. SensCritique gave it a 5.9/10, calling it a "Biopic, Police, Drama, Historical" hybrid that struggles to balance its genres . For a film that leans so heavily on tone, that’s a significant hurdle. Still, Caldera’s fans might appreciate the audacity. After all, this is the same director who turned a time-travel paradox into a dark comedy. If anyone could make a bank robber’s life feel like a caper, it’s him.
The Verdict: Style Over Substance?
A Man of Action is a curious experiment—a true-crime story told with the irreverence of a heist comedy. Whether it works depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a gritty, historically accurate biopic, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for a stylish, fast-talking romp with a real-life anarchist at its center, Caldera’s film might just deliver.
The biggest question mark? How much of Lucio’s story survives the transition to comedy. The real Urtubia was a complex figure, a man who saw himself as a revolutionary first and a criminal second. Does A Man of Action honor that, or does it reduce him to a charming rogue? The evidence is thin, but the trailers suggest the latter. For better or worse, this is a film that prioritizes entertainment over earnestness.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.