Last Tuesday I finally got to see “A Man Called Otto.” Cat and I had plans two weeks ago to see it and then she died. She had read the book and from when we saw the previews in November, she was excited to see it. I had not read the book. Nevertheless, I went with another close friend of hers from the garden, Charlie. At first Charlie stated that we might have to go see “80 for Brady.” I wasn’t too keen on that, but I didn’t say anything.
The morning we were going, she texted me the time, and it was the time that “Otto” was playing. I was going to tell her that I would much rather see “Otto” because that is what Cat wanted. I didn’t have to. When I met her she said she had seen “80 for Brady” over the weekend and hoped I wouldn’t be upset. Of course, it worked out like I had wanted all along.
Now I am not a cryer. I did shed some tears for Cat but no outright sobbing. (I think it is because of the antidepressant I’m on}. We watched the movie in the handicapped section, which kind of felt like a stage, there were maybe four other people in the theater. I love Tom Hanks, he is the best actor. Whomever he is playing, he completely convinces you that is who he is.
Now this is a spoiler alert if you haven’t seen the movie, don’t read on. I thought the movie was a little slow, yet it did keep my attention and I was enjoying it. There were quite a few moments when you would start to tear up and then it was funny. I really felt invested into these characters as their stories played out and you learned their backgrounds. Here is the spoiler, Otto dies, his heart gave out and his wonderful neighbor finds him. He was aware of his heart problems, just like Cat was aware of hers. Then one day it just happended, just like Cat. Well I lost it. This was the cry I was holding out for, my grief over Cat’s untimely death.
I couldn’t get up and leave, I was so upset. Charlie had said that she had been waiting for a sign from Cat, and this came out loud and clear. Here we were, two of her besties, seeing the movie that she had wanted to see with us and of all things, the way he died, and the way she died. If ever there was a message, this was surely it. I felt as if she was looking down at the both of us smiling, we hugged and laughed through our tears at the thought of her.