Movie Review: A man Called Otto (2022) seen in theatres

Drama; not recommended for young children; scenes which depict depression, possible suicide, coarse language throughout including scenes which deal with bereavement following death

Otto Anderson, (played by Tom Hanks,) is an elderly man who becomes cranky following the death of his wife, (her death is not shown in the film but discussed throughout,) and takes his depression out on those around him while contemplating suicide as a means of stopping the emotional pain resulting from her death. He is also a very strict authority like figure who demands that simple rules be followed as they are seen as common sense, (putting trash in the right bin, obeying street signs to avoid accidents,) ETC along with a general request to be left alone to allow him to mourn the loss of his wife. Everything changes for him when a nice family moves in next door who helps him rediscover what it’s like not to be so cranky. Overtime, he finds companionship with this family while helping them overcome some of their own problems.

I’ve been wanting to do a blog on this movie for a while now. At the time of it’s release, there weren’t many good movies with mainstream actors such as Tom Hanks as this movie was among the many to be released shortly after the events surrounding covid 19. Up until seeing this movie, all the movies I saw post covid were very lackluster with poorly thought out storylines as well as second rate actors. However, this movie was the first one I had seen in a long time that had a good storyline with an actor who I had grown up watching in other movies such as Big, Turner and Hooch, and the Toy Story franchise. I feel like Tom Hanks really served as a source of nostalgia in an era where I was trying to get back to a sense of reality following the pandemic. Besides this, his character in this movie was really relatable to me as I seem to have the same views as he does in this movie. For one thing, money is a huge problem for me at times. Most of the time, I never feel like I have enough, (though most people in my life would dispute this in comparison to the money they have.) Most of the time, I’m seen arguing over a bill in a store which I thought should have been less than it was which is what he does in this movie. In fact, my favourite line in this movie takes place near the beginning where he is seen buying rope which he intends to use to hang himself. After a back and forth argument when he thinks he’s being over charged, he says, “What kind of computer can’t do simple math?” when it’s revealed to have been a computer glitch as the reason he was over charged. In that same scene, he complains about having to wait in line when the person in front of him was taking too long while saying that nobody really cares about doing their job and that all they care about is their break. This whole scenario has presented itself to me in my own life more than once, though with mom by my side, I don’t think I’ve ever retaliated quite like he has. My mother would never allow it and would even go as far as to tell me I shouldn’t go out if I can’t handle confrontations with people over bills that are too expensive, ETC. Anyway, this is only one of the many scenarios that occurs in this film which can clearly be pointed at me in comparison. For most of this movie, Otto goes through a lot of the same emotions I go through in my life. This is why I couldn’t wait to review this movie despite only seeing it once.

Since I’m on the topic of Tom Hanks, I cannot wait to see the new movie he is in called “Here” Please stay tuned for that review after I see that movie. However, for the simple reason that this movie describes my life perfectly, it is definitely one that I would recommend.

Movie rating: 10 out of 10

Next movie review: TBD although something on DVD or a streaming service