A Man Called Otto (2022)

This remake of a Swedish movie, with Tom Hanks in the cranky title role, is very good, though arguably not as good as the 2015 original, A Man Called Ove, which I described as funny and moving. Hanks' version leans heavily into moving with a little comic relief, especially from Mariana Treviño as his relentless neighbor Marisol.

The cast of dozens includes Truman Hanks, Tom's 27 year old son with Rita Wilson, playing the young Otto in flashbacks. Truman doesn't resemble his father as much as his half brother Colin, but Colin is 45 and too old for the part.

Mark Forster directs from the screenplay adaptation by David Magee. I would've preferred more laughter and fewer tears, but maybe that was my mood that day. 

Jackpot on the music! Thomas Newman is one of my favorite soundtrack composers and his score can be streamed on Apple Music, including a song sung by Wilson, who serves as one of the producers.

Hanks was last blogged for Elvis, Magee for Mary Poppins Returns, and Newman for Let Them All Talk.

Forster's previous work includes Monster's Ball (2001), Finding Neverland (2004), Stranger Than Fiction (2006), and The Kite Runner (2007). I loved the last two. He also directed Quantum of Solace but I didn't mention anyone besides the actors in that post which was among the first of this blog in the fall of 2008.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics, averaging 69%, label this mediocre, while its audiences, at 97, proclaim it wonderful. We streamed it on Netflix on May 6.