Tom Hanks Gets Grumpy In Heart-Warming Tale Of Time - A Man Called Otto

A Man Called Otto is a heart-warming yet slightly predictable book adaptation. Hanging onto the clichés expected in a dramedy, it still successfully hits the mark with comedic performances from Hollywood legend Tom Hanks (Otto) and Mariana Treviño (Marisol).

Tom Hanks as Otto Anderson in A Man Called Otto. Photo Credit: Sony Pictures

Modern America isn’t the life for Otto Anderson. Still living in a bygone era where neighbours mowed their lawns twice a week. Otto finds himself living on the wrong side of life as a recently bereaved widow. The tear-jerking portrayal from Hanks gives the movie the necessary injection of heart into what is a formulaic plot.

Completing his daily rounds acting as a self-certified neighbourhood warden, Hanks truly brings alive the curmudgeon character. The film explores the bleak existence of a man attempting to take his life until the arrival of new neighbours – pregnant Marisol (Mariana Treviño), her dim-witted husband Tommy and their kids - throws Otto’s life into disarray.

In between offerings of Mexican dishes and babysitting requests, Marisol uses her generous warmth to wear away Otto’s cold exterior. Unfortunately, it’s not difficult to work out what happens next as director Marc Forster uses the book of clichés to change Otto’s perspective on life.

Overly sweet flashbacks teach us more about Otto’s life including when he met his late wife Sonya (Rachel Keller). In a considerate attempt to return Sonya’s lost book, Otto train hops landing himself an unofficial date with his future sweetheart. But in the present day, Otto is a shadow of the man he once was.

The trouble is, there is nothing unique going on here. A Man Called Otto fails to stand out from the crowd of life-affirming pictures that have come before.

Verdict:

Successful at tugging at your heartstrings, the film does everything you expect but little else. Thankfully, Hanks lends his humour to the grimacing old man by offering up some witty quips. It’s the true story of community healing and a lost man finding his new place in the modern world.