DVD Review: A Man Called Otto

A Man Called Otto
(DVD Man)

When I first learned that an Americanized version of A Man Called Ove was being filmed, and that Tom Hanks would star, I was frustrated. The original Swedish novel is so uniquely Nordic in style, and the Swedish language film that was made from it was basically perfect — there didn’t seem to be any need to make an American version, and it felt like it was just another “star turn” for Hanks. So my wife and I ended up avoiding it in the theater. But she eventually brought home a copy of the DVD from the libraries’ collection, and we finally did see it.

 

While I still think the original Swedish-language film is far superior, A MAN CALLED OTTO ended up being a decent film. The title isn’t the only thing that changed — the setting has been changed to Philadelphia, where widower Otto Anderson has become a grumpy curmudgeon following the recent death of his wife, Sonya. Forced to retire from his job, Otto plans to end his life to join his late wife, but his attempts keep being unexpectedly thwarted. Against his personal preferences, Otto is forced to interact with his neighbors, from the old friend (now a non-responsive stroke victim) who Otto believes betrayed him, to newly arrived Marisol and Tommy and their two daughters, to local delivery kid Malcolm. Along the way, Otto is inevitably dragged into these strangers’ lives, despite his own death wish.

 

Hanks does a fine job (though Rolf Lassgard was better in the Swedish film), and the supporting cast is terrific, particularly Mariana Trevino as Marisol and the two child actresses as Marisol’s daughters. Definitely an enjoyable movie experience, and the DVD for this has a nice little “making of” featurette.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the original Swedish film adaptation A Man Called Ove starring Rolf Lassgard.)

 

(The original novel, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is also available in traditional print and audio formats.)

 

( Internet Movie Database entry for this film )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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