A Man Called Otto Showtimes Near Monaco Pictures (2024)

FAQs

What is the story A Man Called Otto about? ›

When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower Otto Anderson meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down.

A Man Called Otto / Film synopsis

A Man Called Otto is based on a 2015 Swedish movie entitled A Man Called Ove which is itself an adaptation of Fredrik Backman's novel of the same name.

Synopsis Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors.

Backman's novel is fictional, and not based on a true story. That said, Backman was inspired to write his novel by a real-life Swedish curmudgeon named Ove. But other than the man's name and his grumpy disposition, everything Backman imagined for A Man Called Ove was entirely made up.

The main messages from A Man Called Otto are that even when everything looks desperate there's still hope, and we can find new meaning to life if we look for it. Values in A Man Called Otto that you could reinforce with your children include persistence, kindness and hope.

Critics Thought A Man Called Otto Was Formulaic But Sweet

The critics' consensus promises that A Man Called Otto will “tug at your heartstrings” despite following a “tried-and-true” formula. It might be predictable, but it's an enjoyable ride.

'A Man Called Otto' Star Mariana Treviño on Why Playing a Strong Latin Mother Matters - IMDb.

But, of course, Otto is played by Tom Hanks, the beloved Jimmy Stewart of this era, and you and I know immediately that a way will be found for his true nature to emerge. The film opens six months after Otto's cherished wife Sonya (Rachel Keller) has died of cancer.

That's because Otto has non-verbal autism and relies on a tablet to communicate. But that's not the only way Otto communicates how he's feeling: He spins a pipe cleaner, swings super high, and snuggles up next to his sister under a pile stuffed animals to show his likes and dislikes.

But, of course, Otto is played by Tom Hanks, the beloved Jimmy Stewart of this era, and you and I know immediately that a way will be found for his true nature to emerge. The film opens six months after Otto's cherished wife Sonya (Rachel Keller) has died of cancer.

What condition does Otto have in A man Named Otto? ›

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, arrhythmias, fainting, and even chest pain. This is what Otto struggles with throughout the film, and it's his hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that ultimately leads to his death. He's also unable to join the military because of his condition.

The two grew apart after Reuben's preference for Fords and Toyotas over Otto's Chevrolets and the "coup" of replacing Otto as chairman. Reuben, who had a stroke, now uses a wheelchair and is cared for by his wife Anita (Juanita Jennings) and neighbor Jimmy (Cameron Britton).