The Story of A Man Called Otto
A Man Called Otto is an emotional drama movie directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Tom Hanks as Otto Anderson, a grieving old man who has lost his wife, Sonya. The film is all about finding family in unexpected places and learning to see the world differently. After its theatrical release in January 2023, A Man Called Otto is now streaming on Netflix, bringing its heartwarming message to viewers all over the world.
The Tragic Story of Sonya and Otto
In the movie, we see that Otto is still grappling with the loss of his wife, Sonya, who passed away from cancer in 2018. However, their life was already fraught with tragedy even before that. Flashback scenes take us back to when Otto and Sonya were in their twenties, with Truman Hanks and Rachel Keller playing the younger versions of their characters.
The couple was excited about raising a family together, but their plans were upended by a bus accident on the way back from a trip to Niagara Falls. The accident resulted in Sonya losing their unborn child and becoming paralyzed from the waist down.
This event shattered Otto and Sonya’s world, leaving Otto feeling embittered and blaming himself and the people around him.
“There had been a recall on the brake lines but the company never had them fixed,” he explains to Marisol (Mariana Treviño), a neighbor who befriends him.
During Sonya’s three-month hospital stay, Otto discovers that the area is undergoing major development to build new condos, walkways, and a community center, none of which are wheelchair accessible. He becomes increasingly angry at the builders and real estate developers responsible for the lack of accessibility, even getting voted out of his position in the homeowners’ association.
However, Sonya reminds him that they have to keep living, and he eventually comes to accept that. Unfortunately, Sonya ultimately dies from cancer six months before the events of the movie take place.
A Vision of Hope
The movie shows Otto struggling to move on from Sonya’s death, contemplating ending his own life. But in a moment of clarity, he has a vision of Sonya, who tells him to keep living. This realization helps him see that there is still more to live for, including Marisol and her family, who have become an unexpected source of comfort for him.
FAQ
What is A Man Called Otto?
A Man Called Otto is a drama movie directed by Ava DuVernay and starring Tom Hanks. It tells the story of Otto Anderson, an angry old man who has lost his wife and learns to see the world differently when a young family moves in next door.
What happened to Sonya in A Man Called Otto?
Sonya, Otto’s wife, died from cancer six months prior to the events of the movie. However, their life was already fraught with tragedy even before that, as she became paralyzed from the waist down after a bus accident that caused them to lose their unborn child.
Where can I watch A Man Called Otto?
A Man Called Otto is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Dexerto
