That Thing You Do!

Name: That Thing You Do!
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
Released: October 4, 1996
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Charlize Theron, Liv Tyler, Tom Everett Scott, Tom Hanks

1996

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

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That Thing You Do

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: October 4, 1996 | PG

Starring: Charlize Theron, Liv Tyler, Tom Everett Scott, Tom Hanks

Summary: Set in the 1964 and steeped in Americana, this film chronicles the meteoric rise -- and equally quick demise -- of a music group called The Wonders. [Fox]

Director: Tom Hanks

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Music

Rating: PG

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

That Thing You Do! is neither overly sentimental nor overly cynical. It looks at the invention of our pop-rock mythology, and the bands that fed it until they were consumed by it, just as you'd expect Tom Hanks to: with open eyes (and a raised eyebrow). Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Though Hanks keeps the satirical and critical aspects of this look at show biz fairly light, there's a lot of conviction and savvy behind the steadiness of his gaze, and his economy in evoking the flavor of the period at the beginning of the picture is priceless. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Mr. Hanks's debut feature, written and directed with delightful good cheer, is rock-and-roll nostalgia presented as pure fizz. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (not credited)

It's so bright (even when it means to be serious) and bubbly that it seems mean to point out that it isn't really about anything -- except how cool sharkskin suits and Capri pants are. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

It's as sunny as you would expect a Hanks project to be. Read full review

Desson Thomson

First-time writer/director Tom Hanks stays about a half-beat ahead of the cliches with rim shots of boyish enthusiasm and deft comedy. Read full review

Richard Corliss

There's evocative atmosphere in the period detail and perky faux-'60s tunes. A pity these are wasted in a movie that, like many a pop tune, has a cute idea but a simpleminded lyric. Read full review

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User Reviews

SchroederRock

Sep 22, 2013

Very few movies feel classic to me and merit multiple watches. The Tom Hanks-directed That Thing You Do! hits the perfect chord and rings out better than perhaps any other music-inspired film at least on the lighter side of life. Look everywhere and you'll be pleased with everyVery few movies feel classic to me and merit multiple watches. The Tom Hanks-directed That Thing You Do! hits the perfect chord and rings out better than perhaps any other music-inspired film at least on the lighter side of life. Look everywhere and you'll be pleased with every performance, every nuance, and the cleverly crafted subliminal message that record labels have a heavy grip on the music industry and where it has been the last several decades. The only thing that makes a music-inspired move better is the music, and That Thing You Do! has some of the catchiest, most fun numbers to back an already complete film. It's one of my favorites of all time, and certainly a bright spot of the 1990's for film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

NShep53

Aug 5, 2015

An all-time favorite. I love this movie. Tom Hanks directs, writes and stars in this hilarious Comedy/Drama about a one-hit wonder band in the 1960s. Everything really seems like you are really in the 60s. Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler, and Johnathon Schaech areAn all-time favorite. I love this movie. Tom Hanks directs, writes and stars in this hilarious Comedy/Drama about a one-hit wonder band in the 1960s. Everything really seems like you are really in the 60s. Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler, and Johnathon Schaech are perfect as well. An all-around perfect movie and one that merits a watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Apr 21, 2017

Upon first glance, this might only look like a basic, hedonistic glance into the American music scene of the 1960's, but with writer/director Tom Hanks at the helm of this surprisingly elegant ship, the audience is actually given a lot more to chew on than you'd expect. Apart from being aUpon first glance, this might only look like a basic, hedonistic glance into the American music scene of the 1960's, but with writer/director Tom Hanks at the helm of this surprisingly elegant ship, the audience is actually given a lot more to chew on than you'd expect. Apart from being a solid period piece, "That Thing You Do!" is also a brilliant comedic coming-of-age showpiece, a compelling exploration into the roots of human ambition, and a fascinating look at the dichotomous relationship between art and commercial capitalism. A fun movie? No doubt. But it's also quite a bit more than that as well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tokyochuchu

Jan 9, 2017

Although slight, That Thing You Do is one of the most delightful music related movies out there. It's a whirlwind of sugar coated tunes, youthful excitement and 1960s period detailing. Great stuff indeed.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

liamexe

May 17, 2023

Tom Hanks demonstrates in this film that he is not just an exceptional actor, but also a capable writer and director. A excellent film with emotion and brevity is "That thing you do!" The fact that there aren't many well-known performers in this film really adds to its appeal since theTom Hanks demonstrates in this film that he is not just an exceptional actor, but also a capable writer and director. A excellent film with emotion and brevity is "That thing you do!" The fact that there aren't many well-known performers in this film really adds to its appeal since the audience can focus more on the story and what's happening than on a particular acting performance. One of the finest cinematic aspects of the film is its soundtrack, which is also among the best ones I've heard thus far. All of the performers do fantastic acting, and there is perfect connection between them. Additionally, the audience feels several emotions once more.

Note: Directors Cut 2 hr 29 m… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmClub

Mar 27, 2016

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks follows the path of other accomplished actors of his generation as debutant filmmaker of “That Thing You Do,” an immensely likable, sweet-natured tale of the quick rise to fame, and just as quick demise, of a small-town rock band.

A feel-good movie thatTwo-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks follows the path of other accomplished actors of his generation as debutant filmmaker of “That Thing You Do,” an immensely likable, sweet-natured tale of the quick rise to fame, and just as quick demise, of a small-town rock band.

A feel-good movie that served as the fitting closing-night attraction at the 21st Toronto Film Festival, pic is a nostalgic crowd-pleaser that’s likely to win the hearts of both younger and older viewers, domestically and abroad. It makes perfect sense that Hanks, who’s now in the prime of his acting career, would want to try his hand at directing. At 39, with two consecutive Oscars and five blockbusters in a row to his credit, he’s probably Hollywood’s most gifted and popular star.

The best thing to be said about Hanks’ feature debut is that it bears all the elements that have made him a movie star: boyish charm, natural ease, comic precision and, above all, generosity of spirit. While no threat in quality or appeal to “American Graffiti ,” still the quintessential end of innocence movie, and its many offshoots, “That Thing You Do” charts similar terrain, except that it’s set in l964, instead of 1962.

Hanks situates his tale shortly after JFK’s assassination, in February ’64, a month vividly remembered in pop culture for the landmark appearance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. Script was apparently inspired by a true incident from the Beatles chronicles when, during a tour to Japan and Australia, a sick Ringo was replaced with a guy named Jimmy Nichols.

Set in Erie, Pa., yarn begins in Patterson’s appliance store, where Guy (Tom Everett Scott) helps his very conservative dad sell TV sets, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Clearly, though, his heart has been set on music ever since he listened to a jazz album by Del Paxton (Bill Cobbs). Opportunity knocks when a local drummer breaks his arm and Guy is approached by songwriter Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech), guitarist Lenny (Steve Zahn), and the energetic Bass Player (Ethan Embry) to replace him. What follows is an episodic chronicle that is as shallow as it is engaging, a collective portrait of the white boys in the band from the early days, when they were called the One-Ders and performed in local pizza joints, to their rise to fame and ultimate collapse all in a matter of months.

Dramatic turning point occurs when the band is introduced to Mr. White (Hanks), a tough but savvy record executive, who immediately changes their name to the Wonders and methodically instructs them on how to dress, how to deliver a song, how to behave like celebs on talkshows. Under his guidance, their song rockets to the top of the charts and they go on a national tour.

Pic ends in dreamyland California, with the band appearing on the “Hollywood TV Showcase” and making a beach party movie before disintegrating, with two of its members quitting the music world altogether. The exploration of what happens to a provincial rock band that has only one hit song is nicely executed, though it takes a whole reel for the story to begin gathering some momentum.

Indeed, all the emotional tensions, within and outside the group, occur in the very last sequence, including a heartfelt breakup between talented individualistic songwriter Jimmy and his g.f., Faye (Liv Tyler), who has been the band’s unofficial fifth member and its best audience. Miraculously, the energetic music and evocative settings manage to keep the slender yarn afloat whenever it threatens to reveal its hollow center.

Pic’s first half relies too heavily on the kind of montages that have become not only familiar but obligatory. Director Hanks and his producers, who include Jonathan Demme, must have realized that the narrative was undernourished and that some characters, particularly the women, were underdeveloped, for they have given their movie a wonderfully brisk tempo, shifting the story from one locale to another with great ease and panache. Ultimately, what’s lacking in the story department is more than made up for by the uniformly delightful ensemble and superb production values.

Adam Schlesinger’s winningly melodic title song, which is repeated so many times that moviegoers will be able to hum it at the end, was reportedly selected out of more than 300 submissions.

Without a doubt, pic’s most impressive element is its technical sheen, with radiant contributions from ace lenser Tak Fujimoto, composer Howard Shore, designer Victor Kempster, costumer Colleen Atwood and editor Richard Chew.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Apr 23, 2018

good news guys..

That Thing You Do! Its light and breezy and has the potential to change the tone into a bit intense too which is where this feature scores majestically as it gives enough gravitas to the characters that helps on resonating with the outer world. Tom Hanks; in his first biggood news guys..

That Thing You Do!

Its light and breezy and has the potential to change the tone into a bit intense too which is where this feature scores majestically as it gives enough gravitas to the characters that helps on resonating with the outer world. Tom Hanks; in his first big screen directorial debut has done a satisfactory job especially in its last act. Tom Everett Scott, Liv Taylor and Steve Zahn are quite good on carrying off a scene easily and is supported completely by Tom Hanks. That Thing You Do! is crucially good on terms of depicting the factual events but what it fails to deliver is the character development that is essential in such features.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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38	#38 Best Movie of 1996
54	#54 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
25	#25 Most Shared Movie of 1996