A Man Called Otto (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'A Man Called Otto' (directed by Marc Forster, and adapted from a 2012 novel & 2015 Swedish film, A Man Called Ove) is a warm-hearted gem starring loveable veteran Tom Hanks as a widowed curmudgeon whose life setbacks has hardened his heart. But not unlike The Grinch, his heart begins to grow & change after his community gives him the chance to evolve -- the heart proves to be a tricky organ, however. Misanthropic Otto believes that the world would be a better place without him; joining his recently deceased wife, Sonya (Rachel Keller) is the goal. Through flashbacks, we learn that his life has been full of both joy & devastating familial tragedy. Thankfully, his attempts to leave this world are continually thwarted by a series of interruptions.
Otto's neighbors, such as long-time residents Anita (Juanita Jennings) & her ailing husband Reuben (Peter Lawson Jones), and Jimmy (Cameron Britton), are used to his crusty, intractable neighborhood behaviors. But teen newspaper delivery person Malcolm (Mack Bayda) & new neighbors across the street, pregnant Marisol (Mariana Trevino) & husband Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) - who've moved in with their young daughters, Abbie & Luna - are taken aback by his prickly attitude; but are nonetheless kind to him & refuse to let him isolate from the rest of the world. All of which gives him chance-upon-chance to let loose, care for others {a stray cat, the newspaper delivery person, Marisol's children} & change his ways. His reluctance to do so is a stumbling block. But over time, Otto starts to realize that he just might have a purpose on this Earth after all, before mortality rears its ugly head.
'AMCO' may be a superfluous remake and, may be a bit too schlocky, at times {subplots of a greedy real estate corp. & a social media investigation}. But it is also lovingly made with a level of care, craft & basic competence that you just don't see every day. Tom Hanks radiates his usual charm & charisma, and the other performances convey the kind of gentle character nuance & emotional depth that overrides an air of unoriginality that the narrative may offer. For the most part, this film avoids becoming too saccharine sweet by punctuating Otto's transformation with surprisingly unflinching fragments of his sad past. These scenes, which illustrate how much Otto lost, flesh out his character beyond the notion of caricature. Plenty of the present-day scenes are played for broad comedy, but a wellspring of sadness emerges in those troubling flashbacks. This elevates this movie above a generic tale about an "angry old man who wants you off his lawn".
Tom Hanks brings depth & likeability to a potentially unlikeable character. Though his Otto is exasperated with everyone & everything ... watching his cold heart thaw in time for him to make a difference in this world is just wonderful. I also enjoyed Marisol Trevino's empathetic neighbor whose effervescence & persistence with Otto to face his past, present & future reaps great rewards. Again, not everything works. There are some cartoonish characters afoot that feel interjected for whimsy. And cynics will say this film is too cloyingly sentimental. But on the whole, thanks to the performances & Forster's sturdy direction, 'AMCO' provides a bittersweet, yet heartwarming tale that audiences during this coldest time of the year sorely needs.
Otto's neighbors, such as long-time residents Anita (Juanita Jennings) & her ailing husband Reuben (Peter Lawson Jones), and Jimmy (Cameron Britton), are used to his crusty, intractable neighborhood behaviors. But teen newspaper delivery person Malcolm (Mack Bayda) & new neighbors across the street, pregnant Marisol (Mariana Trevino) & husband Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) - who've moved in with their young daughters, Abbie & Luna - are taken aback by his prickly attitude; but are nonetheless kind to him & refuse to let him isolate from the rest of the world. All of which gives him chance-upon-chance to let loose, care for others {a stray cat, the newspaper delivery person, Marisol's children} & change his ways. His reluctance to do so is a stumbling block. But over time, Otto starts to realize that he just might have a purpose on this Earth after all, before mortality rears its ugly head.
'AMCO' may be a superfluous remake and, may be a bit too schlocky, at times {subplots of a greedy real estate corp. & a social media investigation}. But it is also lovingly made with a level of care, craft & basic competence that you just don't see every day. Tom Hanks radiates his usual charm & charisma, and the other performances convey the kind of gentle character nuance & emotional depth that overrides an air of unoriginality that the narrative may offer. For the most part, this film avoids becoming too saccharine sweet by punctuating Otto's transformation with surprisingly unflinching fragments of his sad past. These scenes, which illustrate how much Otto lost, flesh out his character beyond the notion of caricature. Plenty of the present-day scenes are played for broad comedy, but a wellspring of sadness emerges in those troubling flashbacks. This elevates this movie above a generic tale about an "angry old man who wants you off his lawn".
Tom Hanks brings depth & likeability to a potentially unlikeable character. Though his Otto is exasperated with everyone & everything ... watching his cold heart thaw in time for him to make a difference in this world is just wonderful. I also enjoyed Marisol Trevino's empathetic neighbor whose effervescence & persistence with Otto to face his past, present & future reaps great rewards. Again, not everything works. There are some cartoonish characters afoot that feel interjected for whimsy. And cynics will say this film is too cloyingly sentimental. But on the whole, thanks to the performances & Forster's sturdy direction, 'AMCO' provides a bittersweet, yet heartwarming tale that audiences during this coldest time of the year sorely needs.