A Man Called Otto

I should have reviewed films-on-demand years ago. That way, I would have reviewed Sweden's entry into the 89th Academy Awards, A Man Called Ove. I get a second chance of sorts with its Americanized remake, A Man Called Otto. Both Ove and Otto are based on the same novel by Fredrick Backman. Let's see how it is the second time around.

 Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks) is the grumpy old man of his Pittsburgh neighborhood. He hates it whenever his neighbors, for example, ignore recycling protocol or drive carelessly. He retires under less than amicable circumstances and decides to join his wife, Sonya (Rachel Keller), in the grave. But his new neighbors can't afford to let him die in peace. These are Marisol (Mariana Treviño), her husband Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and kids Abbie and Luna (Alessandra Perez and Christiana Montoya). He can't die as long as they can't park their U-Haul correctly. 

The rope doesn't work either.

Otto's subsequent attempts at suicide are foiled repeatedly. During which, he warms up to Marisol and her family, as well as his established neighbors. He inadvertently becomes a viral hero during one attempt. A stray cat adopts him. He fights back when the Dye & Merica real estate firm threatens to evict his old friends Reuben and Anita (Peter Lawson Jones and Juanita Jennings). He has flashbacks to better years with Sonya. He also has a heart condition that might just grant his wish.

Marc Forster reteams with Finding Neverland screenwriter David Magee for this film. Otto sticks quite closely to Ove; I haven't seen it since 2017, but I tensed up once I realized a particular plot point in one flashback. These flashbacks are often triggered by Otto's suicide attempts. His (Tom's son Truman) and Sonya's romance is especially emotional when it's underscored by the now Oscar-shortlisted Til Your Home, written by David Hodges and Rita Wilson. There's quite a bit of humor too; it all starts with the retirement party, complete with subtextual jabs at Otto.

Of course, Tom Hanks is great in this. While Otto's grumpy old man attitude is hysterical, it's compelling when he makes amends for it. He starts warming up to Marisol and her family when he tastes some homemade food. He helps Malcolm (Mack Bayda), a paperboy whose careless bicycling he found annoying, get back on his feet. He finally opens up to Marisol in time to help Reuben and Rita. It especially helps that we see early on that he has a heart. We're on his side all the way despite his curmudgeonly. 

There's a good ensemble in Otto's neighborhood. Treviño as Marisol is delightful; one of her strongest scenes is when she chastises Otto for his rudeness, which forces him to reassess himself. Sonya, who is only seen in her youth, is played with warmth by Keller. It's easy to see why she warmed his outlook on life. Bayda is quite likable as Malcolm, while Cameron Britton is fun as the ever-cheery Jimmy. Jennings is fine as Anita, while Jones's strongest moments are when Reuben, a victim of a stroke, shows signs of emotion. The lead Dye & Merica agent played by Mike Birbiglia is an OK antagonist. A few more good characters include Julia (Josefine Lindegaard), a social media journalist who helps Otto save Reuben and Anita's home, and that nameless cat.

You won't forget this grumpy old man. A Man Called Otto is an emotional dramedy about one curmudgeon's re-appreciating life. Its reliable lead is surrounded by excellent supporting characters and a strong score by Thomas Newman. It's hard to stay stoic when it's all done. Anyone looking for bright Oscar-fare should move into Otto's neighborhood.  It's a good use of 126 minutes. See it as soon as possible.