Review : A Man Called Otto : Tom Hanks’ Lovable Dark-Comedy!

#TomHanks another slice of life film, #AManCalledOtto, is an endearing dark comedy. He has always done films celebrating family values and this time around too he aces as a grumpy retired widower who has lost interest in life after the demise of his wife. This is an adaptation of a bestseller novel A Man Called Ove by #FredrickBackman and the director remains loyal to the storyline. Otto’s zest for life vanishes after the death of his wife as he says, ‘there was no life before Sonya and after Sonya’. It shows the disillusionment of a man who is a loner by nature.

Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks) is a retired man staying in a modest neighbourhood of Pittsburg. He is a cranky old man who cribs when people do not follow rules. After losing his dear wife, who was his life, he loses interest in life and tries to die by suicide. But each time his suicide attempt is failed and he gets dragged into ‘human’ situations which he utterly detests. New Mexican neighbours try to succour him. The pregnant young lady Marisol (Mariana Trevino) tries to befriend her grumpy neighbour and after initial cold shoulder from Otto gets him to do things for her and her family which Otto reluctantly does. She forces him into situations that need him to extend empathy and love. Over the period of time their friendly relationship blossoms and he learns from her that life is too precious and should be lived with love and dignity.

Director David Magee has used flashback technique effectively to narrate the story at hand. Though these type of stories are aplenty, he lets his characters to rise above the written script. Small scenes between Otto and Marisol gives ample scope for character growth. Watching Otto grapple with moments of hopelessness and self-doubt that weigh heavily on his conscience will make viewers emotional. This dark comedy does well in collecting laughters at regular intervals. Tom Hanks gives a stellar performance and is utterly believable as a grumpy retired man. Though he had a bad run in few of his earlier films, he resurrects him as an actor of great prowess. Mariana Trevino lends excellent support as she gives a shining performance as good as Hanks. Others too lend good support.

A Man Called Otto is a slice of life film which will enthral you with superlative performances from Tom Hanks and Mariana Trevino.

***1/2