A Man Called Otto (2023)

A Man Called Otto (2023)

 

6/10

 

Starring

Tom Hanks

Mariana Trevino

 

Directed by Marc Forster

 

The movie is based on a book and makes every possible attempt to pull on all available heartstrings. Its running theme is that all grumpy old men who hate everyone are secretly longing to be included in a family—which, let’s be honest, isn’t always the case.

Our main character, Otto, is "saved" from his desire to be left alone to die by a very persistent and overly available neighbor, Marisol, who doesn’t let his bad manners faze her.

Otto is a widower who lost his wife six months ago, and living without her has been a challenge. At first, he threw himself into work, but now, having reached retirement, he’s been given a severance package and sent on his way.

Alone at home with nothing to anchor him, Otto contemplates taking his own life. However, his plans are interrupted by a noisy family of four moving into the house opposite his. Marisol, the mother, takes an interest in Otto after he steps in to help her husband pack their car, and from this simple interaction, a friendship begins.

Through their relationship, we get to know more about Otto and his lonely existence. Here is where the movie gets a bit heavy-handed with the "getting to know Otto" part. Although we see Otto make amends with Reuben—his best friend for years before they drifted apart—the movie feels shallow as it continues to center everything on Otto’s perspective. Even when Marisol gives birth, the film treats the event as just another moment, brushing past it because it’s not directly about Otto.

The movie leans on familiar, well-worn themes, and there’s no surprise when the “villain” turns out to be a corporation rather than a greedy son or an exhausted partner.

In the end, the film might rub some viewers the wrong way because its theme oversimplifies why some old people are grumpy. It’s an easy (and dangerous) takeaway to assume that every grumpy old man or woman is just misunderstood and secretly kind-hearted. Honestly, many are without family or community simply because they’ve alienated those around them by being, well, jerks.

That said, it’s still a good movie to watch, and Tom Hanks, as always, delivers a memorable performance.

It was not created, from what I see to be a box office sensation or to generate any Oscar buzz, it is just a movie to see on a weekend, when you have less to do.