A MAN CALLED OTTO (2022) – My rating: 8.5/10

A Man Called Otto is a comedy-drama directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by David Magee. It is the second film adaptation of the 2012 novel A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and an American remake of the 2015 Swedish film of the same name written and directed by Hannes Holm. I thought the trailers were interesting and suggested a pleasant entertainment experience, plus I love Tom Hanks.  I also loved the film as it was cute and refreshing.

Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), is a 63-year-old widower who lives in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After retiring from a steel company, Otto contemplates suicide, having lost his wife Sonya (Rachel Keller), a schoolteacher, six months earlier.

During one of his suicide attempts, he is interrupted by his new neighbors: Marisol (Mariana Treviño), Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and their two daughters, Abby (Alessandra Perez), and Luna (Christiana Montoya).  This is pretty much how Otto’s life sizes up after the new neighbors move into the community. Otto’s past is shown through a series of flashbacks every time he tries to move forward with his plans. The story tells of how he met his wife and all the events that led up to her death.  Otto’s annoying but refreshing new neighbors were a GOD send. My many thought-provoking emotions were in overdrive as Otto tried to stick to his plans.  The new family’s ups and downs actually gave Otto a new reason to be. I might add, Otto was heavily lacking in the department of socializing and the last person you would want to try to befriend.

Otto was also inspired by a situation confronting Anita (Juanita Jennings) and Reuben (Peter Lawson Jones), an older couple Otto had a long-lasting and endearing relationship with over the years. This movie comes with all the modern problems of today’s world. Otto is able to confront most of these problems but is unable to resolve them all.  There are quite a few characters and situations that all made A Man Called Otto an enjoyable film, I really enjoyed it and highly recommend this film to all.

As of January 22, 2023, A Man Called Otto has grossed $35.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $20 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $55.3 million. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 69% of 182 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website’s consensus reads, “Check all cynicism at the door and allow A Man Called Otto to tug at your heartstrings with its tried-and-true tune—it just might sing.”  Check It Out!

 

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