"The worst neighbor in the world": the return to life of a funny and touching grump played by Tom Hanks

Europe1 .fr 10:00 a.m., February 01, 2023

"The Worst Neighbor in the World" tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), an old grump who has no reason to live since the death of his wife.

As he is about to finish, he is disturbed in his plans by a family, young and full of energy, who settles in the neighboring house: he then meets Marisol, gifted with a sacred sense of repartee, and understands that he has found an adversary at his height!

While she pushes him to take another look at life, an improbable friendship is forged between them which completely upsets Otto's bearings... Funny and touching adventure on love, mourning and life, "The Worst Neighbor in the world" tells how some families are born in a completely unexpected way!

>>> The adaptation of a Swedish bestseller

A huge worldwide success, the book Old, Grumpy and Suicidal - Life According to Ove by Swedish writer Fredrik Backman has been on the New York Times bestseller list for more than ten months.

Then, it was brought to the screen in Sweden where the film became a real phenomenon.

Following the success of the book in the United States and the Swedish film, producer Fredrik Wikström Nicastro wanted to develop an American adaptation.

When Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks discovered the film in turn, they contacted Nicastro.

The producers teamed up agreeing that Hanks would take on the lead role.

For Rita Wilson, Otto is both a comic and tragic character that she wanted to see Tom Hanks embody on screen.

"Tom got his start in comedy and I asked him why he hadn't done more recently," she continues.

"He is great in all his latest roles, but always in a dramatic register. He replied that it was very rare to come across projects whose humor touched him. This film corresponded to his talent as an actor, but also to the themes he wants to defend and his sense of humor".

"Tom Hanks is a brilliant actor – he's a living myth", points out the film's director, Marc Forster (to whom we owe in particular "Jean-Christophe & Winnie" and "World War Z"). extraordinary.

Whatever his roles, he is credible because he is very generous, so much so that we easily identify with him.

He comes from comedy and he has a phenomenal sense of burlesque: he masters the tempo of comedy wonderfully and his gestures are hallucinatingly precise.

And at the same time, he is also an extraordinary dramatic actor.

With this role, he combines the two registers, which makes Otto a unique character.

We understand him, we make fun of him, he makes us laugh and we are devastated by what he is going through.

Despite the comedic tone, the film raises important existential questions that elicit genuine emotion.

"It's a deeply universal story," adds the film's producer.

"It addresses several issues that concern many people. What is the meaning of our life? Why are we on Earth? What are we looking for in life? How can we change our view of those around us?"

>>> A comedy about human ties and family

The idea of ​​connecting with those who are – literally – closest to you, in other words your neighbors, appealed to Tom Hanks a lot.

“What gives meaning to our lives and fills the existential void is the presence of others – they are our neighbours,” Hanks believes.

"Even if we don't like each other, if significant cultural, religious or political differences separate us, sooner or later our neighbors will need our help, and vice versa. If we don't know how to bleed our radiators, who can you appeal? When a tornado hits, who comes to your rescue? The neighbors arrive with chainsaws and vans. THE WORST NEIGHBOR IN THE WORLD takes up this idea because it is a film about the bonds that we tie between beings and on the family".

The new family moving in across from Otto's home is made up of Marisol (played by Mexican actress Mariana Treviño), Tommy (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and their two children, Abbie and Luna.

And as cantankerous as Otto may be, his neighbors are undeterred.

"They're not afraid of Otto," Hanks says.

"They appreciate what he brings to the neighborhood and are aware that at the end of the day he's an honest guy. I think Otto has, so to speak, won the lottery when Marisol sets up in front of his house. him. Because she is curious, sociable, open-minded and shows her feelings, including towards a guy like Otto".

"The relationship between Otto and Marisol is the keystone of the film", explains the director.

"Marisol is a simply wonderful character. A very funny conflict immediately opposes them because they are both very strong personalities who do not let themselves be counted: they are the mirror of each other! And therefore , they comfort each other. It's really her who allows him to access his emotions again".

Marc Forster adds: "As a director, you feel very lucky when you have two actors, like Tom and Mariana, who have a real artistic bond. Thanks to them, the dialogues take on a whole new dimension and their tandem makes sparkles on the screen. They move you, make you laugh and cry. What more could you ask for?"

"The worst neighbor in the world", is currently in theaters, in partnership with Europe 1.