That Thing You Do!

A sucker for a drummer and the beauty that is Liv, I fell in love with this film and still enjoy every viewing.

God, I love this movie! It's just breezy and fun, and so rewatchable!

Love this movie!

So keep that in mind when I'm introducing this ridiculous fan theory: Lamarr (the concierge) played the same role as David Thewlis' character did in the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven: unsubtly guiding the main character to his destiny.

A musical comedy that is based on how the music industry effectively worked at the time. Excellent performances by the lead cast help to make the story believable and fun to watch.

The gentle story of a hit

I get goosebumps EVERY TIME the song plays on the radio for the first time and they all meet up at Patterson's.

Another Tom Hanks classic. So many good actors and a great performance by Liv Tyler. I could watch this movie a million times and I always sing along.

A ride through the music-making machine with a wholesome, mid-sixties one-hit-wonder group. For years I thought I'd hate it, based on trailers and tone alone, but was pleasantly surprised. The film's got some issues, no doubt - especially the horribly tacked-on, telegraphed romantic ending - but it's got a lot of soul and I actually started to like the little tribe of stereotypes as we spent more time together. The theme song is appropriately catchy, too, without being grating like a lot of the era's pop records. Which is important, because it plays no less than once every ten minutes.

There's good stuff here, with a nice leading performance from (who?) Tom Everett Scott as the band's hip, friendly drummer, but it's also clearly a learning project for writer / director / supporting actor Tom Hanks. Would've been much better with a bit of a trim and a wilder fire burning behind the lens.

That Thing You Do! is a charming and nostalgic look at the 1960s music scene, capturing the rise and fall of a fictional one-hit wonder band. Even though the era isn’t from my generation, the film does a wonderful job of recreating the atmosphere and excitement of the time. Its portrayal of the music industry feels warm and believable, making it easy to get drawn into the story.

The cast is strong all around. Tom Everett Scott, as the band’s drummer and central character, gives a very good performance—it’s a shame he didn’t become more well-known after this. Liv Tyler is quietly compelling as the supportive girlfriend, and Johnathon Schaech is convincing as the brooding lead singer. Tom Hanks, who also directed, brings a steady hand and understated charm as the band’s manager.

The humor is subtle and effective, never overplayed, which suits the tone of the movie well. On the downside, some of the characters are a bit stereotypical—the moody artist, the over-eager dreamer—but they serve their purpose without feeling too forced.

The cinematography doesn’t stand out, but it works for the story being told. The music, however, is a highlight. “That Thing You Do” is a great song and fits the film’s premise perfectly, though by the end, hearing it repeatedly gets a bit much. Still, it reinforces the idea of the band being a one-hit wonder.

The romantic subplot is sweet but predictable, especially the connection between Scott’s character and Tyler’s. It’s a nice touch but doesn’t add much surprise to the story.

Overall, That Thing You Do! is an enjoyable and heartwarming film. It captures the era well and delivers solid performances, even if it leans on some familiar tropes.

My rating: 7/10.

I’m glad I watched it, but I wouldn’t revisit it, even with friends. It’s more of a “once is enough” kind of film for me.

A light and nostalgic look back at the rise and fall of a boy band from the 50s. It's a feel-good film that's wholesome enough for the whole family. It's a fun enough film that it's strange Tom Hanks wouldn't have decided to continue with directing.