Is A Man Called Otto based on a true story?
The Tom Hanks film is now available to stream on Netflix.
Comedy-drama film A Man Called Otto was first released in cinemas back in 2022, but it's now finally arrived on Netflix, with a whole new group of viewers diving into the Tom Hanks movie.
The film sees Hanks play Otto Anderson, a 63-year-old widower who is notoriously grumpy and steers clear of his neighbours, until the arrival of a new family reluctantly brings him out of his shell.
Some fans may be wondering while watching the film whether it is entirely fictional or whether it is actually based on a true story. Well, never fear - we've got you covered.
Read on for everything you need to know about whether A Man Called Otto is based on a true story.
Is A Man Called Otto based on a true story?
Not exactly. A Man Called Otto is in fact based on an American remake of a 2015 Swedish film, A Man Called Ove, which starred Rolf Lassgård and was released to critical acclaim.
That film was itself based on a 2012 novel of the same name, which was written by Fredrik Backman.
The synopsis for the novel says: "Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He thinks himself surrounded by idiots - joggers, neighbours who can't reverse a trailer properly and shop assistants who talk in code.
"But isn't it rare, these days, to find such old-fashioned clarity of belief and deed? Such unswerving conviction about what the world should be, and a lifelong dedication to making it just so? In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible..."
Although a fictional story with imagined characters and scenarios, there was a small kernel of truth in it, as Backman was inspired to write the novel by real events.
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What story is A Man Called Ove inspired by?
Fredrik Backman has previously revealed that he got his inspiration to write A Man Called Ove after reading an article by a fellow writer who witnessed a real man called Ove having a public outburst while buying tickets for an art museum. His outburst only stopped when his wife stepped in to smooth over the situation.
Having read this story, Backman was inspired to start writing blog posts, which were titled I Am a Man Called Ove.
In the posts, he wrote about annoyances and pet peeves from the now fictional character's perspective, after which he realised his creation could be the centre of a full-length novel.
A Man Called Otto is available to stream on Netflix now – sign up from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
