A Man Called Otto
A Man Called Otto

A Man Called Otto

2022Movie126 minEnglish

When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower Otto Anderson meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down.

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Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes69%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users92%
Director: Marc ForsterGenres: Comedy-Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Based on the novel by Fredrik Backman, the film follows Otto Anderson, a grumpy widower who is firmly against the world and its inhabitants. His solitary life is upended when a lively young family moves in next door, forcing him to confront his grief and connect with others. Through his interactions with his new neighbors, Otto gradually opens up, revealing the deeply caring man beneath his curmudgeonly exterior.

Critical Reception

A Man Called Otto received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising Tom Hanks's performance but finding the film's adaptation of the beloved novel to be somewhat conventional and sentimental. Audience reception was generally warmer, with many appreciating the heartwarming story and Hanks's portrayal.

What Reviewers Say

  • Tom Hanks delivers a heartfelt and compelling performance as the titular curmudgeon.
  • The film offers a sweet and ultimately uplifting story about connection and community.
  • Some critics found the adaptation to be overly sentimental and predictable, deviating from the source material's nuances.

Google audience: Google users widely appreciated the film's emotional depth and Tom Hanks's standout performance. Many found the story to be heartwarming and inspiring, with a strong message about the importance of human connection. Some noted that while predictable, the film was enjoyable and well-acted.

Fun Fact

The film is a remake of the 2015 Swedish film 'A Man Called Ove,' which was based on the same novel by Fredrik Backman.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

6 reviews
PeaceMeal

PeaceMeal

A Man Called Otto was an incredible surprise for me, as a big Tom Hanks fan, but not in a good way. Tom Hanks starred in, and produced, this film, made popular in some literatary circles who enjoy books of this European very-dry comedy. ...
tmdb51616167

tmdb51616167

#MovieReview #AManCalledOtto Initially hesitant to watch "A Man Called Otto" due to doubts about its ability to captivate my interest, I waited for its streaming release. Tom Hanks' involvement and the lengthy runtime coupled with lacklu...
ARGMAN

ARGMAN

Two problems: Hilarious enforcing of Woke Agenda + being too preachy and politically correct.
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

I had read the book and watched the original Swedish version of the movie before I had a chance to watch this, so I suppose I had some baggage to carry going into it. But I liked the film, especially the irrepressible Marisol, Otto’s ne...
Nathan

Nathan

A Man Called Otto is heartfelt and sad story about a widowed husband trying to find his place in the world without his wife. It is incredibly touching and can resonate with any audience member no matter the age. Going into the film, I w...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Fans of the BBC sitcom "One Foot in the Grave" might recognise something of the "Victor Meldrew" in Tom Hanks' portrayal of the eponymous curmudgeon. Formerly head of the community association, he takes it upon himself each morning to do hi...