Pros: This film got me feeling all the feels despite the trite plot, I was in tears at the end as it was just so touching. Otto Anderson (first Truman Hanks, then Tom Hanks) thrives with his routine and can't deal with idiots. While he comes across cross and nasty, he's deeply grieving his wife so he has no room for anything else. But at least he has a ton of neighbors who won't let him get away with that crap. And despite the fact that he tries to kill himself in various ways, the universe keeps telling him to stay alive. The acting is great, filled with realistic characters and despite Hanks being the only major actor, this is truly an ensemble piece, with everything pulling their own weight.
Cons: You never learn how the condo company learns about the health issues of the developments elderly residents though you strongly suspect that it is something illegal, access to their medical records which cannot be legal. And while it is touching that neighbors care about each other so deeply, I can't see it being super realistic, unfortunately as it is part of why this film is so effective.
Recommend: Yes
Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Mariana Trevillo shines as Marisol, Otto's new neighbor who is ten months pregnant throughout the film but only she manages to get through Otto's armor. She's also the only one he doesn't think is even a little bit of an idiot by the film's end.
-Mack Bayda is a transgender former student of Otto's beloved wife, Sonya (Rachel Keller), but he also plays an important part of Otto's life as well.
-Otto did have to deal with immense tragedy, his wife became paralyzed and they lost their unborn child due to a nasty bus accident.
-Otto believes that Chevys are the best. I wonder if they contributed any money to the film's budget for being advertised that way.
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