Movie Review | A Man Called Otto: A poignant tale of love, life and death

The death of a spouse is one of the most agonising losses in life, as the survivor struggles to piece together fragments of their lives while enduring profound grief.

‘A Man Called Otto’, streaming on Netflix, tells the story of Anderson Otto (Tom Hanks), a grouchy old man, who is forced to retire early due to a heart ailment and plans to take his life after his wife Sonya (Rachel Keller) dies of cancer since he feels he has no purpose in life.

Otto is gloomy, miserable, lonely, often self-absorbed, hopelessly in love with his wife, feels he lives in a neighbourhood brimming with “idiots”, and growls at anyone who defies the rules. He spends most of his days picking fights with people as he flits around the neighbourhood, reacting furiously to each mistake others make, and visiting his wife Sonya's grave.

In his grief, Tom Hanks’ character is harsh and unpleasant to many around him, seemingly oblivious to the consequences of his words. The grumpy old man navigates all of that intense pain while pondering to end his life amid his boisterous neighbours, a young pregnant Marisol (Mariana Treviño), Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and their two daughters, who perpetually interrupt when he tries to commit suicide, whether by hanging himself, inhaling carbon monoxide in his car garage, or shooting himself with a gun. Though Otto feels the world is full of “idiots”, Marisol demonstrates that being an idiot is fine.

The film, a remake of the original film adaption of Fredrik Backman's novel ‘A Man Called Ove’, delivers a whiff of fresh air throughout its length, revealing the smothering side of melancholy with a sprinkle of mirth and humour, enabling viewers to weep one minute and laugh the next.

Viewers gain an insight into Otto's emotions and impulses as the narrative alternates between his interactions with his quirky neighbours in the present and the past story of his youth, as played by Tom Hanks’ son Truman Hanks. His past and present are subtly woven together to create a compelling narrative of a man who upholds principles with a passion, yet occasionally sees them breached by those around him, much to his dismay, but to the delight of the audience.

Throughout the film, directed by Marc Forster, Otto's bitterness and gruff veneer are chipped away, only to be revealed and melted away by his acts of kindness, such as saving the life of an elderly and infirm, man who falls and tumbles down the railway tracks while the people around him film the incident rather insensitively, enraging Otto.

While life can be severe and people can be inconsiderate, the film explores how grief can transform a person and how acts of kindness and generosity, such as Marisol baking and feeding grouchy Otto, Otto assisting a transgender youngster, or Otto assisting the Marisol-Tommy couple by resolving their trivial problems, can provide hope, courage, and love.

OTT: Netflix

Director: Marc Forster

Cast: Tom Hanks, Rachel Keller