A Man Called Otto

This was not marketed well. The trailers made it look like much more of a comedy than it actually was. There are some funny scenes/lines, but it's a very serious movie in many aspects, very much a dramady.

It deals with mental health issues like loneliness, loss and depression in a sensitive manner. The acting is good with Tom Hanks giving his usual outstanding performance. The writing is mostly solid but gets a little too on the nose in parts. My main criticism is it could have used a little more editing, but that seems to be an issue with most movies today. It was about 20 minutes too long.

I streamed this but would've been fine paying to see it in a theater. Definitely worth watching.

The original Swedish version (A man called Ove) is a masterpiece and so I when I watched this remake I was worried that it would be a poor paper version in comparison to the depth of the original. Whilst there is the slight inevitable "warming" of the production for the American audience, I was pleased that the key themes were carried over well and the tweaks made to westernise the story were done delicately and consistently woven throughout the whole of the film.

It's obvious that Tom Hanks had studied the original in minute detail, he really did justice to the portal of the character, owning it but demonstrating awareness of how brilliantly the original Swedish actor had delivered the nuances of this unique depressed and cantankerous old man.

I struggle with subtitles but really enjoyed the Swedish version and recommend you watch it if you enjoyed this one.

The Producers of this film would like you to fall in love with the grumpiest man in America in "A Man Called Otto"...even though it's a remake of a Swedish movie about their grumpiest old man based on the Fredrick Backman book, "A Man Called Ove".

I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall for this movie, unashamedly, hook, line and sinker.

I was expecting the usual something got lost in translation approach from the Americans and churned out sappy cinema, but it wasn't.

Sure it plays on your vulnerable human emotions and you'd have to be made of stone or even more cynical than me not to get the feels as the cool kids say.

I admit that to date I haven't read the book or seen the original Euro version that was the highest grossing foreign film of 2016 in the US, so I don't have those reference points, but what I do know is the Hollywood version deals with some very contemporary issues of social media, transgender and unscrupulous property development well.

The story goes, despite being deposed as head of his gated community (over a valid issue) our grumpy 60 something retiree Otto continues to watch over his neighbourhood with an iron fist.

Checking the gates are closed to through traffic including slimy property developers, also sorting out parking permits and recycling bins on his daily rounds.

When a pregnant new neighbour and her family (including dim witted husband and two gorgeous daughters) move into the house opposite Otto and a stray cat lands on his door step, it sets off a chain of events that changes his life for the better (mostly).

Tom Hanks is "Otto" and is brilliant in his own understated acting style.

He's got to be Oscar bait for this moving role.

Any lesser American actor could have turned this film into a schmaltzy, sugar coated affair.

Otto will make you laugh, cry and sigh so pack some tissues.

"A Man Called Otto" is a beautiful love story retold in timely flashbacks from the present to the past that don't jump all over the place like some movies do leaving you feeling disoriented.

Hanks real life son, Truman, plays "Otto" in his youth.

As the movie progresses you learn where the pain comes from in his life as he opens up like a box of chocolates.

This is my first film review for 2023 and if the rest of this years flicks can be this damn fine I'll be a happy camper.

"A Man Called Otto" has set the bar high for everything that follows.

This is a must see movie for anyone with a big heart.

Good grief there are some really grumpy reviewers out there. This is the perfect vehicle for Tom Hanks and he makes the most of the opportunity. ( I note that he and Rita Wilson are producers ). Yes it is a remake of a classic Swedish movie but this plays out to a much larger audience while retaining the same sentiments. Well written and acted this is great entertainment moving seamlessly from comedy to drama and ultimately packs an emotional punch that makes it memorable and pushes it into one of the best movies of the year . A great reminder of why Tom Hanks has been at the top for so long while providing a break out supporting role for Mariano Trevino who is genuinely both very funny and very moving. Can I also highlight the soundtrack ... especially the Kate Bush single . Highly recommended .

I went into this movie with little expectations, and came out with this added to one of my favourite films of all time. I felt every emotion during this experience. I couldn't picture anyone else play the character of Otto, Tom hanks absolutely nailed it in this. Along with the female lead, she was hilarious and had the whole cinema laughing at times!

I will recommend this film for a long time. I go to the cinema once a week atleast and this has been the best watch in a very long time.

Don't forget to bring your tissues. It'll have you on an emotional roller coaster but you won't want to get off.