‘A Man Called Otto’ Screens …

Not to sound like a broken clock, but this year’s Best Actor race is very weak. You basically have three locks: Brendan Fraser, Collin Farrell and Austin Butler. The remaining two spots will be a showdown between Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Paul Mescal, Hugh Jackman, Gabrielle LaBelle, Adam Sandler and … Tom Hanks?

Judging by early reactions for “A Man Called Otto,” maybe Hanks has a shot. The film itself sounds very minor. I still believe Hanks could even sneak in for his divisive “Elvis” performance in the Supporting Actor category.

‘Otto’ screened yesterday in L.A. to very warm reception. Let’s not perform any somersaults over this movie just yet, but encouraging signs seem to be creeping in. Set for a Christmas Day release, Marc Forster is directing this remake of the 2015 Swedish film. Forster’s film credits include “Finding Neverland,” “World War Z,” “Monster’s Ball” and “Stranger Than Fiction.”

REACTIONS:

Jeff Sneider: Had a great time w/ A MAN CALLED OTTO, which made me laugh a little and cry A LOT. Tom Hanks gives his best performance since SULLY & I loved Mariana Treviño as his neighbor. She should absolutely be in the Supporting Actress mix. If Sony gets behind Otto, it could land a BP nom.

Erik Weber: “A Man Called Otto” is one wild film to evaluate, a rollercoaster of tonal shifts that should never — ever — work yet somehow behind Tom Hanks’ strongest performance since SULLY, largely does, huge Academy audience here really dug it, we may have a late-breaking Oscars contender here

Zoe Rose Bryant: If A Man Called Otto doesn’t make Mariana Treviño a Movie Star, we’re doing something horribly wrong. Such a superb supporting turn that’s as hysterical as it is heartfelt, with so much feeling in every frame. Crowd went CRAZY for her too.

Scott Menzel: I can finally tweet about how much I loved A Man Called Otto. It brought me to tears by the end of it. Life-affirming, emotional, funny, and joyous. A Man Called Otto is not only the biggest surprise of 2022 but one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

David Poland: I know this sounds trade-y, but after this screening of A Man Called Otto, there are 2 legit questions. 1. Will Tom Hanks be a double nominee this year, lead and supporting? 2. Can this film actually get nominated for Best Picture? Because it is going to play great with adults.