Those who love rom-coms know all about meet-cutes and the role it plays in setting up two major characters up for a potential love match. And I don't know about you, but there used to be a time when I daydreamed about my "own" meet-cute in real life, but that's not what it's about today. Here I thought I had seen it all, until I saw A Man Called Otto.
Having seen the trailer and looking at the poster of the abovementioned movie, one wouldn't suspect a rom-com, which it isn't to be clear. Far from it, with the drama and dark humor present throughout the whole movie. And yet, there was still space for a little unexpected love story. That's the part and story between Otto and Sonya with their rather unique meet-cute.
Unique, because it's not the run-of -the-mill clashing onto each other in a school hall or on the street, nor a door or window smashing into one of the character's faces with the other person at the other end of it. Neither the "hater to lover" trope. Just a genuine story of a well-mannered guy trying to help a girl and going the extra mile for her.
It all started when Otto was waiting for his train at the station and seeing a young lady with lots of books in hand, running to catch her ride on the other side of the tracks. This resulted in her dropping one of her books. Otto tried to call to her and let her know that she dropped her book, but alas she was too far. He then ran to the other tracks, picked up the book and went into the train to find the young lady, which was going the other way from where he had to be. When he found her and returned the book, they started talking and when the conductor checked their tickets, she found out what he had done for her and that was the start of their friendship and love for one another.
And yes, I'm aware that dropping of books, papers, briefcase or bag falling open with all the contents falling to the ground, you name it, have already been done, I can't remember seeing someone going the extra mile and missing his/her own train/ride. What also stood out was that Otto didn't only do it to get to know Sonya better, but that he genuinely wanted the young lady be reconnected with her lost book. That's the kind of young man he was. Yes, when he saw her on the other side, he must have found her pretty, but that wasn't the only driving factor for him to take that chance.
