That Thing You Do! main backdrop
That Thing You Do! main poster

That Thing You Do!

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6.9/10 • 823

1996-10-041h 48m

ComedyDramaRomanceMusic

The Fab Four without the Mop Tops

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

Directors
Tom Hanks
Editors
Richard Chew

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Tom Hanks

    Tom Hanks

    Mr. White

  2. Tom Everett Scott

    Tom Everett Scott

    Guy Patterson

  3. Liv Tyler

    Liv Tyler

    Faye Dolan

  4. Johnathon Schaech

    Johnathon Schaech

    Jimmy Mattingly

  5. Steve Zahn

    Steve Zahn

    Lenny Haise

  6. Ethan Embry

    Ethan Embry

    T.B. Player

  7. Charlize Theron

    Charlize Theron

    Tina

  8. Obba Babatundé

    Obba Babatundé

    Lamarr

  9. Giovanni Ribisi

    Giovanni Ribisi

    Chad

Reviews1

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Filipe Manuel Neto Avatar

Filipe Manuel Neto

May 14, 2023

8/10

Tom Hanks gave life and affection to this project, which easily reminds us of the golden years of rock-and-roll. The film is a very nice story that revolves around the world of ephemeral "rock and roll" stars. In 1964, a group of youngsters from Pennsylvania suddenly emerge from obscurity when their garage band, the Wonders, achieve fame and success on the back of a single song, "That Thing You Do". Believing in a potential that might not exist, the scouts of the music world waste no time and the boys get a contract with a major label, which is waiting expectantly for equally good songs. However, sudden fame will test the strength of the group, the maturity and responsibility of that guys and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible. Tom Hanks is more than a protagonist, he is the engine that pulls the film and makes it possible. He had achieved fame at the expense of good comedies like “Big” or “Money Pit”, but he had his consecration in films like “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Philadelphia”, “Forrest Gump” and “Apollo 13”. In addition, he already had two Oscars on his shelf, so he had the means to leverage a project he liked, and there is no doubt that he liked this one, and it was the lever that made it go forward. And contrary to what often happens in these situations, he didn't want the lead role: it's in a reasonably more modest role that we see him, a role where he doesn't fail to stand out. The main role is assured by the band's boys, played by Tom Everett Scott, Johnatton Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry and Giovanni Ribisi. All quite young, still at the beginning of their respective careers, all capable of relatively slick and honest work, especially Scott, who is given a little more visibility. We also have to highlight the pleasant participation of Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron. The film is quite light, lively and cheerful, even in the most tense moments, and in which it takes paths that could make it denser, more dramatic and profound, which it always avoids. That was a conscious choice, I'm sure, and that's debatable. Where the film stands out is in its attention to historical details, in the care with which it seeks to recreate the era and environments through the choice of suitable props, good costumes and make-up, as well as a set of excellent sets. And being such a musical film, the soundtrack is unavoidable and vibrant, with songs that stay in the ear and where the main melody, created especially for the film emulating the aesthetics and taste of the time, deserves a very special highlight.

Media

  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster
  • That Thing You Do! poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$26,000,000.00
Revenue
$34,585,416.00
Keywords
pop starpennsylvania, usarecord labelrecording studiobattle of the bands1960sone hit wonder