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David Magee had two pieces of source material to work from for A Man Called Otto, the Marc Forster-directed Columbia Pictures remake of the hit Swedish film A Man Called Ove. That original pic, which scored two Oscar nominations in 2017, was written and directed by Hannes Holm and based on Fredrik Backman’s 2014 New York Times bestselling novel.
In all instances, the plot centers on a curmudgeonly man — in the latest case played by Tom Hanks as Otto, not Ove, and in this case in Pittsburgh, not a small Swedish town. Otto is in deep mourning after the loss of his wife to cancer; he has given up on being happy and kind to others and would mostly prefer greatly to join his beloved in the great beyond.
David Magee had two pieces of source material to work from for A Man Called Otto, the Marc Forster-directed Columbia Pictures remake of the hit Swedish film A Man Called Ove. That original pic, which scored two Oscar nominations in 2017, was written and directed by Hannes Holm and based on Fredrik Backman’s 2014 New York Times bestselling novel.
In all instances, the plot centers on a curmudgeonly man — in the latest case played by Tom Hanks as Otto, not Ove, and in this case in Pittsburgh, not a small Swedish town. Otto is in deep mourning after the loss of his wife to cancer; he has given up on being happy and kind to others and would mostly prefer greatly to join his beloved in the great beyond.
- 1/13/2023
- by Destiny Jackson
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Hanks is trying to channel his inner Clint Eastwood for this US adaptation of Fredrik Bachman’s Swedish best-seller - the problem is, he simply isn’t grouchy enough. Previously adapted in Sweden as A Man Called Ove back in 2015, if anything Marc Forster’s film, scripted by David Magee, leans even more heavily into the story’s misty-eyed backstory even if Otto (Hanks) himself prefers regiment over sentiment.
Each day Otto patrols his small slice of the neighbourhood, grousing at those who let their dogs pee where they shouldn’t and resorting the recycling bins with a grabber. What isn’t immediately obvious, is that he is deeply grieving after the death of his wife - but plans for his own death do not run smoothly.
Just like the original Ove, Otto has a uniform unpleasantness that is unaffected by creed, colour or sexual orientation - he isn...
Each day Otto patrols his small slice of the neighbourhood, grousing at those who let their dogs pee where they shouldn’t and resorting the recycling bins with a grabber. What isn’t immediately obvious, is that he is deeply grieving after the death of his wife - but plans for his own death do not run smoothly.
Just like the original Ove, Otto has a uniform unpleasantness that is unaffected by creed, colour or sexual orientation - he isn...
- 1/5/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
When you have an international best seller that was on the Nyt list for 42 weeks and then made into a multi-Oscar-nominated Swedish film that became the third-most successful in the history of that country Ingmar Bergman called home, you might wonder what the need was for an English-language American remake. The answer is a chance to give Tom Hanks a role he can run with and, more important, to bring a very human, often funny, character-driven story back to light in a time that needs it more than ever.
Related Story 2023 Domestic Box Office To Hit 9 Billion Fueled By 33 Tentpoles, But How Does Hollywood Prevent Original Adult Pics From Falling Into Further Jeopardy? Related Story Rita Wilson Talks Oscar-Qualifying 'A Man Called Otto' Song, Plans For New Production Company Artistic Films, First Collaboration With Wes Anderson On 'Asteroid City' & More Related Story Tom Hanks Talks Working...
Related Story 2023 Domestic Box Office To Hit 9 Billion Fueled By 33 Tentpoles, But How Does Hollywood Prevent Original Adult Pics From Falling Into Further Jeopardy? Related Story Rita Wilson Talks Oscar-Qualifying 'A Man Called Otto' Song, Plans For New Production Company Artistic Films, First Collaboration With Wes Anderson On 'Asteroid City' & More Related Story Tom Hanks Talks Working...
- 12/28/2022
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Neither the comedy nor the inherently lovable Hanks are dark enough to bring this remake of an odd redemption story to life
Seven years ago, a frankly peculiar, quirky dramedy-heartwarmer from Sweden appeared: A Man Called Ove, based on the bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman. It was about a grumpy old widower who snaps at everyone on his street – officiously enforcing the Neighbourhood-Watch-type rules about parking and recycling – and keeps on trying to take his own life. These attempts are continually thwarted when he spots some local outside his house breaking some bylaw and Ove can’t resist rushing out to remonstrate. But a nerdy, sweet-natured young couple move in next door and insist on befriending Ove, and their artless friendship relieves Ove’s repressed sadness and affords him redemption. Ove was played in the original by Rolf Lassgård (Wallander on Swedish TV) and now by Tom Hanks – renamed Otto...
Seven years ago, a frankly peculiar, quirky dramedy-heartwarmer from Sweden appeared: A Man Called Ove, based on the bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman. It was about a grumpy old widower who snaps at everyone on his street – officiously enforcing the Neighbourhood-Watch-type rules about parking and recycling – and keeps on trying to take his own life. These attempts are continually thwarted when he spots some local outside his house breaking some bylaw and Ove can’t resist rushing out to remonstrate. But a nerdy, sweet-natured young couple move in next door and insist on befriending Ove, and their artless friendship relieves Ove’s repressed sadness and affords him redemption. Ove was played in the original by Rolf Lassgård (Wallander on Swedish TV) and now by Tom Hanks – renamed Otto...
- 12/28/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
In "A Man Called Otto," Tom Hanks stars as the grumpy old guy who wants everyone to get off his lawn, move out of his neighborhood and let him have some peace. And in typical Tom Hanks fashion, there's something oddly charming about the guy, even when he's coldly telling an adorable kitten to go away. If this is still giving you pause, then have no fear — this isn't some bleak affair — this is the kind of life-affirming movie that hits theaters on Christmas day! Despite an unhappy start to his story, it's just a matter of time before someone comes around to melt Otto's icy heart. And who better to capture that open-hearted earnestness than Tom Hanks.
If this title sounds a little familiar, then you might be recalling the hit novel that the film is based on. Or better yet, perhaps you've already seen this story rendered...
If this title sounds a little familiar, then you might be recalling the hit novel that the film is based on. Or better yet, perhaps you've already seen this story rendered...
- 10/20/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
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