Rating B- | A Man Called Otto： Hopeless Old Man Decides To End His Life（1/2）

"The only truly serious philosophical problem is suicide."

This is a statement made by Nobel laureate and existentialist master Albert Camus in the beginning of his famous philosophical essay "The Myth of Sisyphus." When I was in high school, I was deeply troubled and felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning when I read this quote. Unfortunately, I only remember this question now, and the rest of his argument is quite vague, and perhaps the advice he provided was not convincing.

This was brought to mind while watching the American remake "A Man Called Otto" (2023), starring Tom Hanks, based on the Swedish film of the same name.In fact, the two versions of the story do not differ much. Why does Otto feel so hopeless? There are three main reasons: his wife Sonia passed away, he was forced to retire by the company he had worked for many years, and he cannot stand this disorderly world.

The suspense of the entire story lies in how to prevent Otto, who is determined to die, from dying. In other words, although the premise is quite dark, the story unfolds in a comedic way. Every time Otto tries to commit suicide, he is always "interrupted" by his neighbors, especially a family of four who just moved in next door: an immigrant couple and their two young daughters. The husband Tommy is a clumsy and awkward programmer, while his wife Maryse is pregnant and a social butterfly.

Maryse is actually Otto's lifesaver. She often smiles and brings him some snacks, and also "boldly" asks Otto to help her with small favors, such as borrowing a ladder, giving her a ride (which later evolved into teaching her how to drive), and taking care of the children, etc. These things not only coincidentally interrupt Otto's suicide attempts but also give him the motivation and reason to continue living. As these things get done, the days go by, one by one.

One clever aspect of the film is that each suicide gives Otto a chance to reflect on his life, with memories naturally woven into the narrative. We gradually learn that Otto is not just a grumpy old man with an authoritarian personality; he was once young and had moving experiences of love and friendship. His deep affection for his deceased wife is no longer just a plot point but is supported by countless details.

Back then, Otto was a serious engineering student while Sonia was an outgoing and artistic woman. Their chance encounter led to a fated marriage. After a car accident took away their unborn child and left Sonia wheelchair-bound for life, Otto caused a scene by protesting the school's lack of wheelchair ramps. We begin to understand that Otto's almost obsessive adherence to rules and his intense hatred towards those who disrupt community orders is just another manifestation of his love for Sonia: if everyone followed the rules, there wouldn't be any car accidents, and vulnerable groups like Sonia wouldn't be the easiest victims if everyone broke the rules.

It's easy for viewers to see that pregnant neighbor Mary Sue is a replacement for Sonia, giving Otto a second chance to protect her. However, the climax of the film is not when Mary Sue successfully gives birth, but when the residents of the community, led by Otto, drive out the unscrupulous real estate developers. The scope of the film thus expands: Otto is not just protecting one family or a few people, but everyone. Despite being a lone wolf, he has created a world with rules and human warmth.

Of course, Otto does not ultimately commit suicide, but the story still gives him a death ending - a natural death caused by his enlarged heart. This seems like an inevitable conclusion for a miserable and world-weary old man who has gradually transformed into a local "saint".

（Click to read 2/2 of the article）