There was a time when the whole world seemed to love Tom Hanks, I never really knew why. He was always perfectly amiable but generally seemed to be just going through the motions in what happened to be often big and popular films.
In truth I only really liked CastAway, Saving Private Ryan was too Hollywood, his earlier films like Big just didn't appeal so I didn't watch them, nor have I ever read or watched anything from the Da Vinci Code series.
To me he seems just a regular secondary TV supporting actor, that's not to say I dislike him but I just don't see what the big deal is.
Nevertheless I went to see A Man Called Otto last Sunday having all ready read that critics are beginning to tire of his performances. That's ok, I knew what I was getting into or at least I thought I did. The tagline on the poster states "Fall in love with the grumpiest man in America". I guessed it would be one of those rather middle of the road films where some curmudgeon turns out to be a loveable so and so and that's what it is.
Tom Hanks is ok, he seemed a bit disconnected from the part as if he wasn't really trying and I think the role was miscast. His voice seemed incredibly fake surly to me.
Basically Tom's character Otto is 'let-go' from his work and is left to live his totally empty life in a quiet backstreet where he is the local busy-body enforcing all the petty rules. Not that he plans to live this way for long as he wants to commit suicide.
His plans don't really change when a noisy family move in across the road. They are poor, foreign and need a lot of help in life to get by. One thing leads to another and by the end of the film, everyone is friends.
I feel the film poster rather misrepresents the film as it implies Otto is a comedically miserable character but no, he has good reason for it. His wife tragically died, he has no family and now no work. He's not grumpy, he's miserable and depressed with nothing to live for and with very good reasons.
My favourite parts of the film were actually how his numerous suicide attempts failed because he kept being interrupted and because Otto has a good heart which of course all the grumpy people in these films do.
From what I can tell, several other people went in to see a comedy and they do didn't expect a sentimental drama.
I did enjoy the film but mainly as I like going to the cinema, I like the experience of the event. I went in expecting a bland comedy and actually got a bland drama. I think I'd have enjoyed it more if another character was playing the lead. Mariana Treviño was fantastic in it as Otto's new neighbour and I'm sure she will have a good career ahead of her.
All in all, I'd rather watch the original Swedish film on which this is based but if you like Tom Hanks and his genteel gruff demeanour then perhaps you'll be one of the millions who enjoy A Man Called Otto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFYUX9l-m5I
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