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, and a remake of the 2015 Swedish film of the same name written and directed by Hannes Holm.

Otto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.

The film stars Tom Hanks, Mariana Treviño, Rachel Keller, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Cameron Britton.

A Man Called Otto began a limited theatrical release on December 30th, 2022, before a wide release on January 13th, 2023, by Sony Pictures Releasing.

THE GOOD

Let me be honest here, it really didn’t take much convincing for me to check out A Man Called Otto as soon as it hit theaters. First of all, Tom Hanks is a national treasure and has been a favorite of mine ever since his role in the 1988 hit film, Big. Hanks is without a doubt one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood and has attributed to quite a few teary eyes over the years with incredibly powerful films like The Green Mile (1999). After watching the trailer it was clear Hanks was the man for this role, and that notion was just reinforced as I began reading the book the film is based on. So yeah, needless to say, I was excited to check out what looked to be another quality Tom Hanks film. So, was it worth my time? Keep reading to find out!

Let me get this out of the way right now, I loved this movie. First and foremost, I was surprised by just how hard it hit me on an emotional level. I will talk more about the overall writing and story later on in the review but trust me when I say be sure to have tissues handy when you watch it. I knew going in that A Man Called Otto was more than just a dark admittedly quirky comedy, but I had no idea to what extent it went beyond what the trailer or the brief synopsis showed. This film has many layers, and to say that it will leave a mark on viewers is an understatement, and it will surely hit some people harder than others depending on their own personal life experiences. It got me good, I will say that. The writing was great, I really enjoyed each and every character, and I felt like the tone was consistent throughout. You never quite knew what direction the film would go, and I enjoyed the ride we were taken on as viewers. I also felt like the film was very inspiring in terms of what it means to be a positive influence, and a nice reminder not to judge a book by its cover.

Believe it or not, even though Tom Hanks is in the lead role I won’t be talking about the quality of the acting right away. One of my biggest takeaways from A Man Called Otto was just how much more there was to the story than what you’d realize after watching the trailer. As I mentioned I am currently reading the book, usually a chapter or so before bed so admittedly it is taking me a bit, but as far as I can tell so far the film stayed fairly true to the novel it is based on, and David Magee did a heck of a job adapting the screenplay. What I am enjoying most about the book so far, which also happens to be one of my favorite aspects of the film as well, is the flashbacks to the early years of Otto, where we get to learn a bit more about how this seemingly grumpy man came to be. I will focus on the film for obvious reasons but the flashbacks were fantastic, simple as that. They held so much weight, and I never had that I wish they would ease up on the flashbacks feeling I’ve gotten from films in the past.

Now add in the fact that young Otto is played by Hanks’ real-life youngest son Truman, and it really is something special. Now I will admit, I had no idea who this dude was when I saw the movie, and I thought he played his role like a seasoned vet so naturally, I was curious as to who he was. After watching the film and doing a bit of research as I put together my review I found out that not only is he the son of Hanks, but this is also his first role in a film. He doesn’t even have a picture on IMDb, and is primarily credited as working in the camera and electrical department according to his filmography. Just wild. I won’t give anything away, but let me just say that Truman Hanks was so good at playing young Otto that he was easily one of my favorite things about this movie, and a big reason why it tugs at the heartstrings the way it does.

Okay so obviously the acting was great. I talked about Truman Hanks who deserves all of the recognition in the world for coming out of nowhere and delivering a memorable performance, but his dad was fantastic as always. Tom Hanks really becomes his character, and for the majority of the film, I forgot he was just playing this role. Otto is such a unique and layered character that viewers will enjoy unraveling just what makes him tick, and I really liked all of his quirks and his overall view of people and the state of society. Maybe I am just getting old but I actually agreed with him more than I probably should have. As far as the supporting cast, I thought everyone pulled their weight. Aside from little Hanks, I would say Rachel Keller made the biggest impact as Sonya. Keller is best known for her recurring roles in shows including Fargo, Legion, and Dirty John. As far as her performance here I thought she was fantastic. She plays this no-nonsense character who is the perfect person to stand up to Otto and his grumpiness, ultimately forming a unique and genuine bond. I thought she had awesome chemistry with Hanks as well which is really saying something considering his pedigree as an actor. I won’t talk too much more about the cast but I thought everyone was great.

THE BAD

I’m honestly struggling to pick this film apart because I genuinely enjoyed it. Is it perfect? No, I wouldn’t say that, but in my opinion, the final product delivered where it mattered and amounted to a special cinematic experience and I can’t wait to see it again. Now the film does need a few disclaimers because, for one, it deals heavily with the idea of suicide as a means to an end. I will say that such a sensitive subject was handled perfectly and with care, and in no way glorifies it or attempts to stray from its significance. A Man Called Otto is a dark comedy at its core because of the subject matter, but they manage to keep that quirky element throughout without taking away from the overall impact of the film’s message. It also includes other real-life and significant elements of loss and trauma that personally hit me pretty hard, but speaking from my own personal experiences it just made me feel closer to the film and made it matter to me that much more.

THE VERDICT

A compassionate, heartbreaking, and genuinely inspiring story about a complicated and grumpy old man with a story to tell, A Man Called Otto is a beautiful film that impressed me at every turn. I usually go into the theater with at least an idea of what to expect, but this experience was unique. The story pulled me in so many directions, and I kid you not I had a tear running down my face by the end of it. Life is complex, and as human beings, we are often quick to judge, but this film is a perfect example that we have no idea what the person we pass on the street may have been through in their life. It is a reminder that sometimes all that you need to do is try to be kind, no matter how grumpy and unpleasant a person may seem at first. What happens next may surprise you.

Bottom line, A Man Called Otto is a funny, satisfying, and meaningful film that I absolutely recommend people see in theaters.