A Man Called Otto was entirely different from my expectations based on first glance; the genre that is it described as, is a ‘Comedy.’ Even though there are comedic elements, if you are expecting an upbeat, laugh out loud film, you will be surprised when the tears in your eyes are from sorrow not laugher.
The characters are gradually introduced as we learn about the street Otto (Tom Hanks) lives on, a street Otto takes immense pride in. It is private, well-kept, and tidy. Otto considers it his duty to keep it in such an organised and neat way. We see Otto on many occasions, taking items out of the recycling to place them into the correct bin.
The characters seem a bit exaggerated and formulaic, there is the exercise junky, the stuck-up dog owner, the elderly couple, the overly excitable guy, and the new chaotic family. As we learn about Otto’s daily habits of checking the bins and ensuring there is a sense of order on this grey, dull, generic street, we begin to understand why his life feels frustrating and miserable. This is presented through the muted and dilated palette of these opening shots. The intensity of Otto’s depression is present through Tom Hanks’ acting, showing Otto’s anger and annoyance in his subtle facial movements, and grating social interactions.
The pace of the film is slow, adding to the dullness, and meaninglessness of Otto’s activities (without making the film itself dull). The pace also feels life-like, perhaps adding to the connection we feel to the characters and surroundings. Otto is now both widowed and retired from his career in engineering. His previous hobbies have been lost to his deepening depression. A darkening cloud seems to spread over Otto’s life, building to a climactic scene of desperate suicide, as Otto attempts to take his life. He is however interrupted by his new neighbours, Marisol, and her family. Marisol is a feisty, loving, and bold woman who befriends Otto as she needs someone to help with DIY (her cliché modern day husband seems to be particularly accident-prone).
As Marisol becomes increasingly prominent in Otto’s life, her bright and bold character, seems to filter into his life. Her vibrant clothing adds a dash of colour to the previously grey, white, and dull shots. It is her connection with him that lets him explore his old colourful life at cute pink cafes. She also helps him reignite his relationships with friends, who live in illuminated and colourful homes, bringing further colour, warmth, and purpose back into his life.
Even though this is probably not going to win awards for originality and great performances, it is a heart-warming film perfect for a rainy winter day. I was emotional throughout and entirely drawn into the story, even with the films slow, life-like pace. It is both melancholy and uplifting in equal measures, which gives the film a level of charm and enjoyment.
7/10A Man Called Otto was entirely different from my expectations based on first glance; the genre that is it described as, is a ‘Comedy.’ Even though there are comedic elements, if you are expecting an upbeat, laugh out loud film, you will be surprised when the tears in your eyes are from sorrow not laugher.
The characters are gradually introduced as we learn about the street Otto (Tom Hanks) lives on, a street Otto takes immense pride in. It is private, well-kept, and tidy. Otto considers it his duty to keep it in such an organised and neat way. We see Otto on many occasions, taking items out of the recycling to place them into the correct bin.
The characters seem a bit exaggerated and formulaic, there is the exercise junky, the stuck-up dog owner, the elderly couple, the overly excitable guy, and the new chaotic family. As we learn about Otto’s daily habits of checking the bins and ensuring there is a sense of order on this grey, dull, generic street, we begin to understand why his life feels frustrating and miserable. This is presented through the muted and dilated palette of these opening shots. The intensity of Otto’s depression is present through Tom Hanks’ acting, showing Otto’s anger and annoyance in his subtle facial movements, and grating social interactions.
The pace of the film is slow, adding to the dullness, and meaninglessness of Otto’s activities (without making the film itself dull). The pace also feels life-like, perhaps adding to the connection we feel to the characters and surroundings. Otto is now both widowed and retired from his career in engineering. His previous hobbies have been lost to his deepening depression. A darkening cloud seems to spread over Otto’s life, building to a climactic scene of desperate suicide, as Otto attempts to take his life. He is however interrupted by his new neighbours, Marisol, and her family. Marisol is a feisty, loving, and bold woman who befriends Otto as she needs someone to help with DIY (her cliché modern day husband seems to be particularly accident-prone).
As Marisol becomes increasingly prominent in Otto’s life, her bright and bold character, seems to filter into his life. Her vibrant clothing adds a dash of colour to the previously grey, white, and dull shots. It is her connection with him that lets him explore his old colourful life at cute pink cafes. She also helps him reignite his relationships with friends, who live in illuminated and colourful homes, bringing further colour, warmth, and purpose back into his life.
Even though this is probably not going to win awards for originality and great performances, it is a heart-warming film perfect for a rainy winter day. I was emotional throughout and entirely drawn into the story, even with the films slow, life-like pace. It is both melancholy and uplifting in equal measures, which gives the film a level of charm and enjoyment.
7/10
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