Movie Review: A Man Called Otto (2022) - A comedy or a drama;

Every time this movie would appear to me, I would move to the next one. I did not feel like watching it.

At first, the name Otto reminded me of Otto Rehhagel (If you do not know him, I am referring to a German football coach, who was coaching the Greek Team and won the Euro 2004, 20 years ago!)

But it was a different Otto.

This movie was suggested to me as a comedy. I also saw a cat starring with Tom Hanks.

I got all the reasons I wanted to watch a movie. Tom Hanks, an awarded actor, a cat and a movie to make me laugh!

Alas!

I did not laugh, but I did smile at a few points.
But I cried, I cried during at least 3 timeframes of a movie.

But do not let me spoil this for you, let us start from the beginning.

Overview - Who is Otto

Otto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.

Before I watched the movie, I did not read about the synopsis, I did not check the rating or any other information - I just cared about it being a comedy.

So when I first sat down to watch the movie, I was prepared for a lighthearted comedy. What I experienced, however, was quite different— a film with sprinkles of humor and a number of dramatic elements.

The story opens interestingly, centered around a grumpy old man, Otto, who seems constantly annoyed with life and the people around him.

In the movie, we may even recognize someone that we already know in our neighborhood.
(Note, this is an adaption of a novel)
We see many scenes of his everyday life, as he gets into small fights with neighbors.

Out of the blue, a lively, smiling, and pregnant woman moves in next door with her family, and this is the point where Otto's world starts to shift.

Could there be a kind heart hidden beneath all his bitterness? Why did Otto become so hardened in the first place? All these (and more) questions, leave us wondering about life itself, and how pain can transform people's life.

While it wasn't the comedy I expected, A Man Called Otto pulled my emotional strings and made me think of several issues from my personal life.

Imdb rating is 7.5 out of 10.
I would put 6.7 out of ten and as a movie genre, I would put drama.

Not sure if I would watch this again, at this part of my life - I prefer more light films and when possible - action, mystery or comedy ones.

Let me know if you have watched it and feel free to watch the trailer here

Link to imdb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7405458/

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