A Man Called Otto

A Man Called Otto, directed by Marc Forster and produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, releases in cinemas on February 10, 2023. The film features Tom Hanks in the lead role of Otto Anderson, a grumpy and lonely widow.

The last five years have been a tough period for the legendary actor Tom Hanks. Although he delivered a noteworthy performance as the voice of Woody in Toy Story 4, his recent outings such as his portrayal of Fred Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Colonel Tom Parker in Elvis, were not well-received by the audience. With A Man Called Otto, Tom Hanks aims to make a comeback and deliver his best performance in recent times.

A Man Called Otto is a remake of the 2015 Swedish film A Man Called Ove, which is based on the 2012 novel by Fredrik Backman. The film takes place in a Pennsylvania neighborhood, where Otto Anderson lives a secluded life after the death of his wife, Sonya. The film opens with Otto arguing with a supermarket employee over a few cents extra charge for a rope that he wants to buy. However, it is later revealed that Otto intends to use the rope to hang himself as he spirals into depression following his wife's death. The plot of the film is similar to Ricky Gervais' hit Netflix series After Life, where the protagonist, played by Gervais, also tries to commit suicide after losing his wife.

Like After Life, A Man Called Otto tries to balance between comedic moments and moments of despair. However, unlike Gervais' take on the subject matter, the film fails to strike a balance between the two vastly different tones. In the first quarter of the film, Tom Hanks excels in his portrayal of the brooding character, but the film takes a downturn when his new neighbors, the Tommy and Marisol family, are introduced. The sudden change in Otto's demeanor from grumpy to kind-hearted disrupts the tone of the film.

The film has its share of emotional moments, especially the final few minutes that are guaranteed to bring tears to the audience's eyes. However, the film does not bring anything new to the drama genre of a grumpy man with a big heart. Otto's larger-than-normal heart is meant to drive home the point, but the film struggles to balance the dark and light tones, making it safer to walk the middle ground.

When it comes to performances, Tom Hanks delivers his best in recent years as the grumpy Otto Anderson, who sees the world around him as full of 'idiots'. He brings both humor and emotion to the role, especially during the film's bleakest moments, when he faces death head-on. Mariana Treviño, who plays the pregnant Marisol, is the standout performer among the supporting cast. Her scenes with Tom Hanks are the film's best, as the two characters have a stark contrast in their personalities. Tom's son Truman makes a cameo appearance as a young Otto, showing a vastly different life with Sonya before her death.

In conclusion, A Man Called Otto is a safe and enjoyable outing for Tom Hanks, but it is also a missed opportunity. The film had all the ingredients to question audiences about the idea of accepting the reclusive life that one must accept during old age. Instead, it plays it safe with director Marc Forster opting for tear-jerking scenes that tug at the audience's heartstrings, but the bland plot fails to break new ground in the drama genre of "old guy with a soft heart."

Overall, A Man Called Otto is a film that showcases Tom Hanks' talent and charm, but it falls short of delivering a powerful and impactful story