Tom Hanks’ A Man Called Otto was shot in a number of noteworthy locations in the United States. In the 2022 film, the popular movie legend plays against type as Otto Anderson. The comedy drama is an American adaptation of the Swedish novel A Man Called Ove, and brings its take on the story to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Director Marc Forster chose to film a majority of the story on-site in Pittsburgh, largely based on recommendations from his filmmaker friends about the city’s culture. Obviously using real Pittsburgh and other Midwestern locations for the movie upped the authenticity, and supplied the aesthetic that Forster was looking for in his adaptation. The specific locations in Pittsburgh will likely be familiar to many locals, but for those who are not familiar, here is a list of the significant filming spots in A Man Called Otto.
10 The Busy Beaver in Lawrenceville, PA
The film’s opening scene takes place in a hardware store, where Otto is gathering materials for a suicide attempt by hanging, and was shot in The Busy Beaver in Lawrencwille, a city in Pennsylvania. The regional hardware store chain markets itself as “your neighborhood hardware store” and as dark as Otto’s purpose was for being there, it definitely provides the suburban store feel that was necessary for A Man Called Otto.
9 Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley, PA
Otto visits the grave of his late wife Sonya frequently, and her passing is one of the main causes of his cynical attitude. The scenes at her grave were shot at Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley. Sewickley Cemetery is one of the older cemeteries in the area, and has existed since 1859. Its scenic views and traditional construction certainly lends itself to the big screen, and was likely the impetus for its selection as a filming location for A Man Called Otto. In the film, the dead grass and bare trees of the cemetery create a distinctly “cold” feeling that fits the Pittsburgh area.
8 St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont, PA
The funeral scene at the end of A Man Called Otto was shot at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont. Its Gothic architecture, stone walls and older appearance (it was originally built in 1874) all give the church a sense of gravitas. This aspect of it is what made it an ideal fit for the somber funeral of Otto Anderson in A Man Called Otto’s ending.
7 Gilliland Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA
The scenes on street that Otto Anderson and his various neighbors live on were shot on Gilliland Avenue, a fairly typical cul-de-sac in the Bellevue area of Pittsburgh. Interestingly, director Marc Forster said in an interview that his production designer actually stumbled upon the location by browsing on Google Earth (via Pittsburgh Union Progress.) The closely-packed homes lend themselves to the intrusive nature of Otto’s neighbors, which is key in the plot of A Man Called Otto.
6 Merchant Street in Ambridge, PA
Merchant Street in Ambridge, Pennsylvania is where Otto teaches his new neighbor, Marisol (Mariana Treviño) how to drive a car – to great comedic effect. The old and historically significant Merchant Street provides a very distinct small-town suburban vibe, with classic brick buildings lining the two-lane street that Marisol attempts to drive down. Part of what makes A Man Called Otto feel so authentic is the chilly, realistic portrayal of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and the scenes set on Merchant Street fit this aesthetic perfectly.
5 Stangl’s Bakery in Ambridge, PA
At one point, Otto and Marisol go to Sonya’s favorite bakery, a regular visiting spot for Otto and his late wife. The scenes were shot in Stangl’s Bakery in Ambridge, a fixture of the city since 1899. For the movie, the bakery’s original sign from the 1950s was restored, and other renovations were made to the interior and storefront. Owner Lorraine Burgess was even responsible for the semlor pastries that Otto and Marisol bond over in A Man Called Otto – a favorite of his wife.
4 Simpson Reinforcing in Arnold, PA
Prior to his retirement, which is seen early on in A Man Called Otto, Otto worked at a steel company. The scenes involving his former place of business, including Otto’s retirement celebration, were shot at Simpson Reinforcing in Arnold. The company specializes in structural steel, and was involved in the construction of PNC Park, PNC Tower and Acrisure Stadium (formerly known as Heinz Field).
3 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh was featured in one of the flashback scenes that features Tom Hanks’ youngest son, Truman Hanks, portraying a younger version of his father’s character. The campus was founded in 1794, and is very involved in the field of Biblical archaeology, and even sponsors some excavations in Israel. Once again the old architecture and aesthetic of much of Pittsburgh came in handy when it came to shooting the flashbacks for A Man Called Otto.
2 Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Brecksville Station in Brecksville, Ohio
Another significant flashback scene features Truman Hanks’ young Otto character waiting for a train. That scene was shot at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Brecksville Station in Brecksville, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. There are also shots of Truman Hanks riding the train as it heads towards the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The iconic train station and the train itself fit the flashback setting of A Man Called Otto, as most of its appearance has remained unchanged.
1 The Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza (formerly Central Union Terminal) in Toledo, Ohio
One of the most important scenes in A Man Called Otto occurs when Otto saves the life of an old man who has fallen on train tracks – the same train tracks where he is planning to make another suicide attempt. The scenes were shot in Toledo, Ohio at one of the most well-known train stations in the country, the Central Union Terminal at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. The train station is perfectly set up to capture not only the heroic rescue, but the oncoming train as well. As with several of the other filming locations, it also succeeds in capturing the Midwest aesthetic when it comes to foliage, weather and architecture.
