Well, everyone, today, we are going to be reviewing the newest film to have a legendary actor by the name of Tom Hanks be in it. Presenting to you all a movie in which Tom plays a grumpy widower. Presenting to you all the one, and only, A Man Called Otto!
Plot: After losing his wife six months before this film began it’s story, Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower that lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, begins to feel so sad, and depressed that he begins to do some crazy things. But when some new neighbors move one, including Marisol (Mariana Trevino), her husband, Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and their daughters, Abby, and Luna (Alessandra Perez, and Christiana Montoya) move into his neighborhood, will these new neighbors help bring more happiness, and joy into his life?
Okay, first of all, this film may drag a little bit at times. And yeah, the movie may be a little too sad, and depressing to a point. However, what makes this film still really good is that, for one, how could one not like the fact that Tom Hanks starred in this film? I mean anything that he’s been, from Forrest Gump, to Cast Away, to Elvis, and even films that he’s voiced in like the Toy Story films, and The Polar Express, this is another one of those films in which Hanks really is the glue that holds this film together. There is also really good lighting in this film as well, particularly when there are flashback scenes that occur throughout the course of this film. The relationships are also beautifully well-written as well. It’s also cool how quirky some of them are. This is especially the case for Marisol. Let me tell you, if you like Hispanic people that have a unique sense of humor, you’ll also like Marisol as well, in addition to Otto. Marisol really helps steal the show as well. It’s also great how her husband, Tommy, Otto, and the two daughters help Marisol overcome certain obstacles that she faces throughout the course of this film. Oh, and did I forget to mention the score by Randy Newman’s cousin, Thomas Newman? Okay, for those of you who don’t know who Randy Newman is, he performed the score, and songs for many of Disney/Pixar films like the Toy Story trilogy. Well, Thomas Newman has scored in films as well, like this one, Pay It Forward, and the 2003 Disney/Pixar film, Finding Nemo. Well, his score for A Man Called Otto is rather amazing. Honestly, there’s a part of me that wouldn’t mind purchasing the soundtrack for this film. Okay, that may sound bias a little, but still. Finally, the movie does teach some really great lessons, particularly about learning to let go of any pain of the past, and learning to truly live again!
And that’s my review for A Man Called Otto. It is a really good film with fun characters, a beautiful score by Thomas Newman, and some amazing lessons to take away from it! I would say that if you haven’t seen A Man Called Otto, definitely make it a point to do so. It is worth seeing. Plus, with Tom Hanks in it, it makes this film worth seeing even more. So yeah, go see it, and see what you think!
Final Grade: A
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