Last night I sat down to watch the first half of a recent Tom Hanks movie, “A Man Called Otto.” I learned about it after reading Fredrik Backman’s Beartown trilogy last year–he’s the author of the book by the same name as the movie (except “Ove” instead of “Otto”).
It’s a movie about a man in his late 60s who is very regimented, very analytical, and very handy. He’s kind of a grump for reasons the movie will eventually divulge, and he’s kind of given up on life. Fortunately for him, like in Fredrik Backman’s “Anxious People” (one of my favorite shows I watched last year), he is surrounded by a zany array of characters who haven’t given up on him.
I wanted to get some work done last night (and watch the end of the Ravens-Bills game), so I only watched half the movie, intending to return to it today.
Spoilers and trigger warnings for the rest of this post.
Today, January 20, is the day my dad died from cancer complications 3 years ago. My mom and I had a really good, occassionally tearful chat about Dad yesterday, and today I went about my day pretty much as normal.
I watched the second half of the movie while eating dinner. At the very end, Otto dies from a heart condition. The camera pans to the gravestone he shares with his wife, and I realize that Otto was born just after my dad–the move makes him seem much older, but he’s nearly the exact same age as Dad. Dad, who–while not a grumpy man at all–was very regimented, very analytical, and very handy. He could build anything, and he could fix anything. He knew how things worked. He was Google in human form.
Seeing that gravestone and finally making those connections after watching 2 hours of the movie absolutely crushed me. One moment I had a few tears for Otto, and the next I was sobbing for Dad. The situation sucks, but it was a good cry–it’s healthy to let myself grieve.
I wasn’t going to write a blog post today–it’s a national holiday, after all–but after this meaningful coincidence, I was compelled to put it in writing. I think Tom Hanks is regarded by some as “America’s dad,” and tonight it really felt that way.
Has a character in a movie, book, or TV show ever reminded you of someone you love or miss?
Wow such a powerful and meaningful reaction to the very good film . I can see how it would trigger all those emotions and connections.
One thing that shines through very clear is just how much you liove and admire your Dad Jamey, he truly sounds like he was a wonderful man .
The film “About time” had similar effect on me , when at the end of it the son and Dad go back in time for one last moment with each other on the beach. How many of us would love to have that moment .
Thank you for saying that, Mark. I can completely understand how About Time would have a similar impact.