A Man Called Otto (2023), A Mixed Bag of Tears and Laughter

I'm really excited to talk about A Man Called Otto (2023) because it's based on one of my all-time favorite books, Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove". It's a story that's really close to my heart, so I'm just going to give you my honest opinion and let you know why this movie hits so close to home for me.

This time, the novel "A Man Called Ove" is adapted to an American version and directed by Marc Foster and starring Tom Hanks. While the plot remains largely the same, some adjustments have been made to make the story more "American", like changing some of the characters' names, including Ove, who gets re-titled Otto. I totally understand why they did that – after all, who in America is named Ove? (Though I'm sure there must be some!). 

It tells the story of an elderly engineer called Otto Anderson, who recently retired and is quite the grumpy old man. He's very particular about how things should be done (a by the book man) and has no time for any nonsense, particularly if someone is parking their car incorrectly! Every morning he goes on rounds in his neighborhood, and while some of the neighbours get a bit irritated by his behaviour, Otto couldn't care less about them. He will often grumble "Idiot!" if he sees someone in the street being foolish - and then one day, a new "idiot" neighbour moves in! It's Tommy and family. Tommy was considered an idiot because he couldn't park his car properly. 

Tommy was from Anaheim and had moved his family there, renting a new house across from Otto's. His wife, Marisol, was Mexican. They had two adorable children, Abbie and Luna. Of course, their presence was anything but pleasant for Otto, even though they were very friendly to him. On the day of Tommy's family's arrival, Otto was actually going to commit suicide. But by chance, Tommy's family, especially Marisol, always distract him. 

Otto and Marisol are like two opposite poles. If Otto is as cold as ice, Marisol is explosive, like a volcanic eruption. Whenever Otto builds a wall between them, Marisol keeps breaking it down, wishing the old grumpy man would open his heart. Marisol is a tricky character to play. If you miss the mark a little, she can be even more annoying than Otto, and Mariana Treviño manages to avoid that. In the actress's hands, the "very alive" Marisol reminds Otto of what life is all about.

A Man Called Otto shows us Marisol’s journey to thaw out Otto’s cold heart. Her mocking comment, “Your every word is like a warm cuddle”, brings out a real laugh from him. Treviño does an amazing job as a perfect contrast to Hanks’ grumpy character. As the two characters spend more time together, the film gives us the feels as they both help each other and grow closer. The driving scene is especially moving, as Otto teaches Marisol without making her feel bad. The café scene and later exchange of words between Otto and Marisol further add to the poignancy of the story. Credit to the filmmakers for not taking the easy way out by adding a joke regarding Marisol's driving skills.

As Otto's personality begins to soften, he takes a stand against injustice, showing that he actually cares about the people in his community. In one plotline, he takes on real estate developer Mike Birbiglia, who's trying to take advantage of his neighbors Anita and Reuben. In another, Otto provides a home for Malcolm, a former student of his late wife who was thrown out of his house by his father. The film also looks at how seniors and people with disabilities are treated, but these topics are addressed in a way that doesn't feel preachy. Plus, race isn't an issue in the movie, and Malcolm's transgender identity is represented without shame or stigma.

Foster and Hanks make this movie increasingly emotional. There are several flashbacks to Otto as a young man (he is portrayed by Truman Hanks, Tom and Rita's son). These scenes are sweet, sepia-toned memories that tug at the heart. As a young man, Otto, in a spur of the moment act of kindness, returned a book Sonya (Rachel Keller) dropped, and met the woman who became his wife. The flashbacks are sappy, but they help explain why Otto is so grumpy. And that was very heartbreaking. 

As a huge fan of Fredrik Backman's novel, I'm so glad that the American adaptation didn't stray away from the original vibe of the story. It was so refreshing to watch a Hollywood adaptation that stayed true to the narrative without adding any unnecessary melodrama. Plus, the signature light and funny dialogue that I loved so much from the novel was still there — it made me feel so at home. 

I have a deep connection to the themes of despair, grief, and suicide often seen in films. When faced with tragedy, I have found life to be brutally honest. It forced me to grow and evolve faster than any words of inspiration or even parents' bullshit. We all have unique experiences with tragedy, and our responses vary greatly. Some are determined to rise up, while others become overwhelmed and succumb to the pain. No matter the response, it is always a powerful reminder of what life can bring.

I appreciate how A Man Called Otto honestly and non-judgmentally portrays its dark themes, and I like that they didn't change the story to make it more commercial. There's a raw emotion in the story that makes it more "realistic" and relatable. I hope that Hollywood in the future can be like this when adapting similar European novels.

If you need a friend to vent your anger to the world, this film can be your friend. Of course, this is not a cure for your sorrow, you have to work it out yourself, but certainly this film has a fair and honest view. I highly recommend you to read the novel A Man Called Ove for a more enriching experience.