Non così vicino

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.

In gentle dramedy "A Man Called Otto" (remaking Sweden's 2015 "A Man Called Ove") Tom Hanks excels (no surprise - what an actor) as the titular widower grieving his late wife (Rachel Keller in flashbacks (with Truman Hanks as the younger version of his actual dad)), preparing to join her, and using grumpiness to fend off friends & neighbours like Mariana Treviño (outstanding), Cameron Britton, Mack Bayda & Juanita Jennings - but might community spirit, mutual disdain for realtor Mike Birbiglia, and a cat warm him up? Director Marc Forster, writer David Magee, and especially Hanks & Treviño bring it all home with understated humour, polish, & quiet class.

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.

Wow. I was not prepared for that. I thought I was going to see a comedy film about a grumpy man who gets frustrated with his neighbours. I did not expect to be in tears by the end - and not tears of laughter.

I did not have the experience of the original book or film so I went into this with no particular expectations. It's been a long time since a movie touched me in this way.

Tom Hanks excels as Otto in a character so unlike any other he has played before. His own son played his younger self which added a level of authenticity to the role. The supporting cast brought a mix of humour and pathos resulting in beautiful and moving film that hit all the right notes.

Don't go and see this without tissues folks!

Yesterday, the last day of 2022, a Saturday my wife and I decided to go to the movies to spend an afternoon out together. So I pulled up the local movie theatre to see what was playing and this was showing (English version) and the other movie with the blue aliens (we were not up for watching a 3 hour extravaganza). Never heard of this movie so looked up the preview on IMDB and thought we'd enjoy it. Noticed it hasn't come out in the States yet, we're south of the border.

The movie is down to earth and incredibly believable. Tom Hanks carries the movie with his great charm and acting as an unlikeable cranky old man. No one wants to live in a community with someone like him hounding you ever day for every little thing.

As the story unfolds you see how unhappy he is with life with the injustices he went through that ultimately left him alone and unloved in a cold world and wanting to leave this world. Something too many people can relate to. I liked how at the end of the movie they leave a mention of the hotline number 988 for people contemplating ending their lives and need to talk to someone.

The movie had us laughing, the comedy is great, and it touches your heart as you see the new family that moves in is willing to put up with Otto's crankiness and show him love.

It is a good lesson for everyone. We should all be good neighbors to each other. And usually there is a reason behind the pain and the bitterness in a person. And patience and love can break through the rough exterior and find the good in a person that is crying out for attention and love even when they don't act like it.

What a great movie to end the year to, we're glad we saw it at the movies and I just wanted to come and add a comment here for anyone wondering whether this is worth the watch. In my opinion it is. It's a movie that will leave you thinking, and pondering over it, over the human condition, and our relationships with each other. Not just a have a fun time and leave forget about it.