A Man Called Otto - Melanie's take

A Man Called Otto (2022) is a comedy-drama directed by Marc Forster. The film is a remake of the Swedish film A Man Called Ove (2015), which in turn is based on the novel by Fredrik Backman. The lead role is played by one of the greatest actors of all time and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

The story revolves around Otto, an elderly, grumpy man who struggles with depression and loneliness. He is haunted by a traumatic past in which his beloved wife Sonya (Rachel Keller) has passed away. Throughout the film, he attempts suicide multiple times in the hope of reuniting with her, but he is repeatedly interrupted by his new neighbors, leading to both poignant and sometimes comedic situations.

Tom Hanks impressively portrays an ordinary man with autism, who has difficulty with change and adheres strictly to rules. His performance is subtle and very natural. Autism is just one aspect of Otto’s character, and I appreciate that it is not exaggerated. In contrast, I found that Pommelien Thijs in Knokke Off made her bipolarity too prominent. Hanks skillfully weaves Otto’s autism into his inner struggle between hope and depression, conveying this with finesse and nuance. We are immersed in Otto’s life and gain an intimate view of his vulnerable moments and character development.

His transformation is facilitated by his spirited Mexican neighbor Marisol (Mariana Treviño), who brings warmth to the film's cold and melancholic atmosphere. Throughout the story, a special friendship develops between them, and Marisol gradually helps Otto find a way to cope with his dark thoughts. Thanks to Hanks’ incredibly believable performance, the viewer is confronted with deep emotional moments.

Mohammed Salman aptly expresses this in his review: "The pacing of the story is thoughtful, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in Otto’s world. The director employs an engaging narrative style, combining flashbacks, introspective moments, and impactful dialogues that keep the audience captivated. The cinematography is visually stunning and captures the essence of each scene, whether it’s desolate landscapes or intimate moments of self-reflection." I completely agree with this.The film includes flashbacks to Otto’s relationship with Sonya, with his younger version portrayed by his son Truman Hanks. In these scenes, we witness both the beginning of their love and its tragic end.

The direction is also excellent: the cinematography is well thought out, and the colors carry symbolic meaning. Otto often wears blue, the color of sadness, while Marisol wears pink, symbolizing innocence and youth. The changing seasons and recurring elements evoke a sense of the transience of daily life. Even the gray cat fits perfectly into the melancholic setting.

However, there are some downsides. The film contains many clichés about young people, often portraying them as "addicted to their phones and incompetent." A good example of this is the scene where an old man falls onto the train tracks, while the young people around him do not help and immediately start filming. Additionally, the social media journalist feels unnecessary, and the other neighbors contrast too sharply with Otto. Their exaggerated fitness antics are repeatedly shown, which does not align with the otherwise realistic tone of the film. In contrast, Marisol’s warm, Mexican personality is a valuable addition to the story and serves as a perfect counterbalance to Otto.

The music also feels predictable and sometimes pathetic. At certain moments, a typical "sad song" plays that you would more likely find on a crying playlist on Spotify than in a film. This makes the emotional impact feel more forced than enhanced.

In short, A Man Called Otto is a captivating and introspective drama that explores the complexity of the human condition. Difficult themes such as weariness of life, suicide, grief, and terminal illness are sensitively balanced with warmth, friendship, helpfulness, and hope.