A Man Called Otto is a 2022 comedy-drama film 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, following the 2015 Swedish film of the same name written and directed by Hannes Holm. The film stars Tom Hanks in the title role, with Mariana Trevino, Rachel Keller and Manuel Gracia-Rulfo co-starring.
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The plot Otto is a stickler for rules and routines, and he takes great pride in maintaining the order and cleanliness of his community. He is also struggling to come to terms with the recent death of his wife Sonya, who was the love of his life. Despite his gruff exterior, Otto is a kind and compassionate man who is often misunderstood by those around him. He is frequently at odds with his quirky neighbors, including a young family, a boisterous cat, and a pregnant woman and her husband. One day, Otto’s world is turned upside down when a new family moves in next door. The family includes a lively young woman, her husband, and their two young daughters. Though initially resistant, Otto is drawn to her and the family, and he begins to open up and embrace the joys of life and connection with others. As Otto’s relationships with his neighbors deepen, he finds himself becoming increasingly involved in their lives and helping them through their various challenges. Otto helps the family fix up their house, and even takes in the cat. Despite facing his own struggles and setbacks, Otto finds solace and purpose in helping others and rediscovering his love of life. In the end, Otto learns to let go of his grief and embrace the joys of living in the present moment. |
‘A Man Called Otto’ began a limited theatrical release on December 30, 2022, before a wide release in the United States on January 13, 2023, by Sony Pictures releasing. The film received generally mixed reviews from critics.
In Marc Foster’s amiable, deep yet unremarkable comedy “A Man Called Otto,” the titular character Otto can’t pick his daily battles even if his life depended on it. Living in an unfussy
suburban neighborhood of identical row houses somewhere in the Midwest, the aging man
gets easily annoyed by every little misstep of a stranger. And his protests are so pronounced that they even rival Larry David’s in an average episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Portrayed by the beloved Tom Hanks in an indistinct performance that splits the difference between quirky and grounded, Otto is often right about his grievances, to his credit. Why should he pay for 6 feet of rope and waste a few extra cents, for instance, when he bought just a little over 5?
Why shouldn’t he warn inconsiderate drivers who often block garage doors or entitled neighbors who can’t as much as remember to close a gate and respect basic rules about trash disposal? Or pick up a fuss when the soulless real estate guys from the fictional and
hilariously named ‘Dye & Merica’ show up to sabotage the community’s peace?
Then again, not everything is as awful as Otto makes them out to be. And he could perhaps afford to have some manners himself, especially when a new, very pregnant neighbor drops by with a bowl of home-cooked meal as a courtesy.
But the biggest win of Forster’s adaptation is its worthwhile message about the small wins of everyday people who operate as a functioning and harmonious community against the evils of faceless corporations. “A Man Called Otto” isn’t exactly as philosophical as ‘About Schmidt’ or as socially conscious as ‘I Daniel Blake’, two films that occasionally hit similar notes. But it’s nevertheless a wholesome crowd-pleaser for your next family gathering.