You know how it happens, right? You read a book. You love the book. The rest of the world loves the book. And then someone gets the great idea to make it into a movie.
You debate whether to see the movie. You loved the book. You want to love the movie. But many times the movie pales in comparison to the book.
One of my favorite books – “A Man Called Ove” written by Frederik Bachman was written in 2015. It was then made into a Swedish movie which is available on Amazon Prime. Chris and I watched it quite awhile ago and really liked it – subtitles and all.
Then Hollywood discovered it — namely Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson. They thought the book would make the perfect movie (again) and so they proceeded to make a new movie and call it “A Man Called Otto”.
Again, I am not always a fan of the movie version of a book I read but once again, I was pleasantly surprised. Hanks plays the curmudgeon himself and does a brilliant job. The cast was spectacular and I fell in love with Mariana Treviño who plays neighbor Marisol. She played the role perfectly, unrelenting in her pursuit of wearing Otto down into becoming a less disagreeable person, and was just a joy to watch.
If you find yourself with some time on your hands and the movie is showing in your area, if you loved the book and are on the fence about going to see it, take my advice and go. We gave it two thumbs up.
Pro tip: Take Kleenex.
5 Comments
Leave a commentIt seems whatever Tom Hanks does, it’s good. Thanks for the recommendation. (I haven’t read the book yet but plan to)
I have not read the book. But I did see a promo for the movies and thought, “I think I would like that movie.” So maybe, just maybe, I will need to visit a theater again. Interestingly enough, I’m working on a review of “Nebraska,” checked out from the library. Love love love that 2013 film.
I LOVED this book…we saw the Swedish movie last week. I am going to see this one this coming week. I haven’t been to a movie theater in years. I’m glad it doesn’t disappoint.
I have heard so many good things about this movie. Hope to catch it soon.
Why would I want to watch a movie about a grumpy older person who turns out to be quite nice when people get to know him? Everyone I know is just like that!
(Actually, most of the time I don’t feel grumpy at all, but I’m sure I’m seen that way by the pushy extroverts I believe it’s a real duty not to reward. If someone pushes up to us showing all their teeth and shrieking some sort of name, whether we recognize the name or not, we *need to* roll our eyes and turn aside, nonverbally saying “”Who’s responsible for taking that person home?”!)