That Thing You Do (1996)
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1996 Ben Hoffman
Tom Hanks says that he made the film to "protect my sanity." He traveled all over the world promoting FORREST GUMP and it was getting him down. Wanting to do something different, he yearned for "something creative" other than acting. Having seen "The Compleat Beatles" documentary, and being aware of the many, many band groups back in the 1960s who had but one hit record and then disappeared, he decided he'd like to write and direct a film about these "one hit wonders."
This then is a kind of compilation of many such groups as Hanks saw them. There is Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) whose dull life as a salesman in his father's hardware store is brightened by the set of drums he plays after working hours. This puts him in another world. When a group called The Wonders loses its drummer (remember an ill Ringo being replaced temporarily with someone called Jimmy Nichols?), Guy is ready to accept their offer to play the drums with them. Their identifying tune, "The Things You Do" shoots to the top of the charts and soon they are on their road to fame and fortune, or so it would seem.
Hanks uses some new actors to make up The Wonders. There are, in addition to Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn and Ethan Embry. The part of Faye, Jimmy's girlfriend, (Liv Tyler) is portrayed by a very pretty blonde. Guy's girlfriend, Tina, is played by Charlize Theron. Hanks himself has the role of an executive at a record company (The Play-Tones) who manages the band.
While the film is entertaining enough and does portray the times, (the period of JFK being assassinated, of the VietNam war, etc.) I found nothing special. However, it does have some nice music and it is recommended to anyone who lived through that era of the 60s.
Written and directed by Tom Hanks.
Rating: 2.5 bytes
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