That Thing You Do!
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: October 4, 1996 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews
Positive:
19
Mixed:
2
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
Entertainment WeeklyOwen 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
90
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
Good-humored and just about reeking of innocence, That Thing You Do! is what a character has in mind when he asks for "something happy, peppy, up-tempo." Leaving audiences feeling good is very much, and very successfully, on its mind. [04 Oct 1996, Pg.F1]
80
The New York TimesJanet 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
80
Washington PostRichard Harrington
It doesn't overreach, doesn't cannibalize some obvious predecessors and doesn't try to drown its story about innocent music of the early '60s in the troubled waters of music in the '90s. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderJonathan 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
80
EmpireMark Salisbury
This is a lightweight but utterly loveable affair which proves Hanks is as assured behind the camera as in front of it. Read full review
80
VarietyEmanuel Levy
A top-notch production, exuberant period music and Hanks the actor in an important role cunningly disguise a rather slight and inconsequential narrative. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleHollis Chacona
In his first effort at directing a feature film, Hanks chooses his material wisely and writes it with witty, beguiling charm. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The movie may be inconsequential, but in some ways that's a strength. Without hauling in a lot of deep meanings, it remembers with great warmth a time and a place. Read full review
75
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Hanks works like a sketch artist feeling his way before attempting a large canvas. His material is slight, but his writing and directing have an unforced humor and an unhurried grace that suggest he may be a natural. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
The picture... is well- made and entertaining, but it holds a special interest in what it says about Hanks. Read full review
75
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
It's as sunny as you would expect a Hanks project to be. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Tom Hanks makes his directorial debut with this likable comedy, which shows that while pop culture is a business like any other, enthusiasm and high spirits can lead to satisfaction even if major success proves elusive. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (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
75
USA TodayMike Clark
Thing's opening hour is fast-paced, though not fast enough to obscure the reality that "American Graffiti" and "Diner" had sharper writing and certainly more psychological depth. [04 Oct 1996, Pg.01.D]
70
Washington PostDesson 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
70
NewsweekDavid Ansen
This movie is so unself-consciously wholesome it's almost Gumpian. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDuane Byrge
The chief wonder of this rock 'n' roll cast is Tom Everett Scott, whose easy charisma, dreamy smile and undersurface intelligence should shoot him up the acting charts like a bullet. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Although Hanks' film starts out strong, it finishes on shaky ground... A serio-comedy/fantasy whose light dramatic arc can't support the awkward and unnecessarily melodramatic ending. Read full review
60
The A.V. ClubMaria Schneider
Hanks nicely lampoons the smug, stagnant, assembly-line attitude of the American pop-music establishment of the time, but it's clear that Hanks intends his Boomer-pleasing nostalgia to be strictly of the declawed variety. Read full review
40
Dallas ObserverJimmy Fowler
That Thing You Do threatens the shameless stereotypes it constructs with cats' claws, but when the deserving targets present themselves at their most vulnerable, the movie rolls over and expects audiences to stroke its tummy. Read full review
30
TimeRichard 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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