Malco - A Man Called Otto (2024)

FAQs

Is Otto from a man named Otto autistic? ›

The lead character in the movie “A Man Called Otto,” Tom Hanks's portrayal of Otto Anderson, demonstrates several traits typical of autism, most notably Asperger's Syndrome.

Differences Between 'A Man Called Otto' & 'A Man Called Ove'

In Otto, the characters speak English and live in America rather than talk in Swedish and reside in Sweden. These surface-level adjustments are why the character of Ove is now called Otto (Tom Hanks) in the American remake.

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.

Tom Hanks has added yet another accomplishment to his already illustrious career by starring alongside son Truman in his new comedy “A Man Called Otto” in Truman's acting debut. In the film, Truman, 27, plays a younger version of his dad's title character. Hanks says it wasn't even his idea to cast him for the role.

While it is not the primary focus of the movie, the main character, Otto, just happens to have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Both Rune and Reuben have Alzheimer's but Reuben is depicted as paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Otto still doesn't seem to have forgiven Reuben for being a Ford man instead of a loyal Chrysler customer. To make matters even more unforgivable, Reuben buys a Toyota! The “coup” still looms large in Otto's memory as well.

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.

He prepares to commit suicide by shotgun, remembering the bus crash on a romantic trip to Niagara Falls that caused a pregnant Sonya to lose her baby and become a paraplegic. Malcolm, who was kicked out by his father, knocks on the door, and Otto lets him stay the night.

While it may seem like it could be about real-life events, A Man Called Otto isn't actually a true story, nor is it even based on one. The film is actually a remake of a 2015 Swedish movie called A Man Called Ove, directed by Hannes Holm and starring Rolf Lassgård as its grouchy protagonist.

Elizabeth Ann Hanks

Tom Hanks / Daughter

Did Otto have children in the movie? ›

In his new movie, A Man Called Otto, Tom Hanks plays a grumpy widower who never had children. However, the cast includes one of Tom's real-life kids.

The divorce was between Hanks and his first wife, Samantha Lewes. The two first married in 1978, but split by 1987.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to congestive heart failure, which is what takes his life in the end of the A Man Called Otto. All that said, Otto was able to live a full life despite his heart condition, which wasn't as severely noticeable until the end of his life.

When you begin this novel, you meet a crusty old Swede named Ove who lives like a hermit and never seems to have a kind word to say to anyone. He may even be a highly functioning person with autism spectrum disorder.

While Otto has several obsessive-compulsive traits, he lacks the distress and anxiety that individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) usually show. People with OCD typically experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that are recurrent and cause marked anxiety or distress.

Barry Otto's daughter Gracie has shared a heartbreaking health update about the Strictly Ballroom star following his Alzheimer's diagnosis. Otto, 83, was diagnosed with the degenerative condition six years ago, a brain disorder which causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die.