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That Thing You Do! Reviews

1996

60
from 2691 members

Set in the 1964 and steeped in Americana, this Tom Hanks's directorial debut chronicles the meteoric rise--and equally quick demise--of a music group called the Wonders. The talented musicians start out playing in neighborhood joints. However, that changes after they meet a shrewd record executive (Hanks), who advises the boys .. Read more

Starring	Tom Hanks, Clint Howard, Kathleen Kinmont, Alex Rocco
Director	Tom Hanks
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of That Thing You Do!
View all critics' reviews (6)
- Sanitized 60s rock for those who grooved to Forrest Gump; nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time (at least, as seen through Hanks's distorting lens) acts as a narrative sedative, though audiences may respond to its generalized warmth.
- 31609
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of That Thing You Do!
View all members' reviews (15)
- - 9
  - 0
  Sparkling, light-hearted comedy
  
  My respect for Tom Hanks just keeps growing. He wrote, directed, and co-starred in this, and by writing I don't just mean the script -- he penned the music... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 296919
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Huwie
  - Dyfed
  - 01 Jan 2004 at 17:36
Most recent members' reviews of That Thing You Do!
View all members' reviews (15)
- - 0
  - 0
  Worth a Watch
  
  An okay film with a good soundtrack (especially the jazz) but the story is a bit fairy tale.
  
  I've played at a lot of gigs and it's not really... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1074375
- - Emjay69
  - 320 reviews
  - Kidlington, Oxford
  - 18 Dec 2011 at 15:44
- - 0
  - 0
  I love this film
  
  Great slice of 50s/early 60s nostalgia. Catchy soundtrack, particulary the title song 'That thing you do'. Live Tyler is cute as a bugs ear in this, she... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 893453
- - Joober
  - 37 reviews
  - Bradford
  - 23 May 2010 at 15:00
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This film is an intresting/entertaining piece of cinema. Written and directed by 'Tom Hanks' the film follows 4 young lads on there journey from group ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 579460
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 1
  - 0
  Excellent
  
  A feel good movie about a young music group from small town America in the sixties.Good acting all round, with two actors standing out,Steve Zahn and Obba ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 230510
- - a customer
  - Notts
  - 09 Apr 2006 at 10:41
- - 0
  - 0
  The Wonder of 'That Thing You Do!'
  
  I really love this film, and wanted to say so as there are more negative comments than positive about this film and I wanted to redress the balance!
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 228181
- - Annie Smith
  - Warks, England.
  - 04 Apr 2006 at 08:41
- - 0
  - 0
  A feelgood film
  
  Not a bad effort for Tom Hanks directorial debut. A good story, decent performances and the song's catchy too. Worth watching on a wet Sunday afternoon - ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 201745
- - a customer
  - Cambs.
  - 02 Feb 2006 at 13:32
- - 0
  - 1
  A wee bit tedious.
  
  That's it. Just a bit tedious. How many times can a song be played in one film? My missus likes Tom Hanks, but don't get this for his perfomance. Just ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 180604
- - a customer
  - Portsmouth
  - 01 Dec 2005 at 21:10
- - 2
  - 3
  I LIKE THAT THING YOU DO
  
  Predictable 'feel-good' movie. Loved the sixties music, which was very Beatle inspired (great if you like that sort of thing, which I do.) Typical good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 174794
- - SAXOBIRD
  - NORTHAMPTON
  - 16 Nov 2005 at 14:55
- - 1
  - 2
  ho hum
  
  Pretty mundane stuff. I guess all great actors have some things they would rather forget. This is one film that I, for one, would rather forget. I have a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 345515
- - snowyte
  - West Glamorgan
  - 26 Oct 2005 at 12:15
- - 0
  - 0
  enjoyed
  
  Me and my partner really enjoyed this light hearted movie, the song was even quite catchy!! one to watch on a sunday afternoon if nothing else on to watch.
  
  Report this review
- 84159
- - a customer
  - Bucks
  - 22 Mar 2005 at 16:17
View all members' reviews (15)

- - 9
  - 0
  Sparkling, light-hearted comedy
  
  My respect for Tom Hanks just keeps growing. He wrote, directed, and co-starred in this, and by writing I don't just mean the script -- he penned the music... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 296919
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Huwie
  - Dyfed
  - 01 Jan 2004 at 17:36
- - 3
  - 2
  Watch Slade in Flame instead
  
  Tom Hanks said he hoped this film would be viewed as a refreshing change of pace, which, if nothing else, is an acknowledgement that it is not going to be a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 19049
- - howie
  - 29 reviews
  - Hertford
  - 21 Sep 2004 at 12:06
- - 1
  - 0
  Excellent
  
  A feel good movie about a young music group from small town America in the sixties.Good acting all round, with two actors standing out,Steve Zahn and Obba ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 230510
- - a customer
  - Notts
  - 09 Apr 2006 at 10:41
- - 1
  - 1
  Tom Hanks played an ...
  
  Tom Hanks played an exceptional performance, showing he is an all round actor and he can play any role.
  
  Report this review
- 26059
- - julie#3
  - WHITEHAVEN
  - 08 Dec 2003 at 13:01
- - 0
  - 0
  Very Good
  
  The movie is really really good ...specially the song..i would highly recommend some one to watch this movie
  
  Report this review
- 75536
- - a customer
  - England
  - 24 Feb 2005 at 16:05
- - 0
  - 0
  Simple story - for Tom Hanks fans
  
  Written, directed and starring Tom Hanks. He even wrote some of the music! A simple story about a one hit wonder band. The sub plot about the jazz obsessed ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 82391
- - Rob Jones
  - Bridlington, UK
  - 17 Mar 2005 at 09:53
- - 0
  - 0
  enjoyed
  
  Me and my partner really enjoyed this light hearted movie, the song was even quite catchy!! one to watch on a sunday afternoon if nothing else on to watch.
  
  Report this review
- 84159
- - a customer
  - Bucks
  - 22 Mar 2005 at 16:17
- - 0
  - 0
  A feelgood film
  
  Not a bad effort for Tom Hanks directorial debut. A good story, decent performances and the song's catchy too. Worth watching on a wet Sunday afternoon - ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 201745
- - a customer
  - Cambs.
  - 02 Feb 2006 at 13:32
- - 0
  - 0
  The Wonder of 'That Thing You Do!'
  
  I really love this film, and wanted to say so as there are more negative comments than positive about this film and I wanted to redress the balance!
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 228181
- - Annie Smith
  - Warks, England.
  - 04 Apr 2006 at 08:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This film is an intresting/entertaining piece of cinema. Written and directed by 'Tom Hanks' the film follows 4 young lads on there journey from group ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 579460
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22

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Critics' reviews
- Sanitized 60s rock for those who grooved to Forrest Gump; nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time (at least, as seen through Hanks's distorting lens) acts as a narrative sedative, though audiences may respond to its generalized warmth.
- 31609
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- "...An immensely likable, sweet-natured tale....The quartet of band members is credibly and winsomely played with standout work from the handsome Scott..."
- 10255
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Tom Hanks understands likable....Everett Scott is appropriately handsome and charming....Hanks and company allow us to dream..."
- 10253
- - Los Angeles Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- The year's 1964, and young Guy (Hanks-lookalike Scott) is drafted in to play drums with a rock'n'roll high school band.... read more on Time Out
- 44857
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
- "...A brightly entertaining blend of humor and heartbreak..."
- 10254
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Lovingly crafted....Sly irony..." -- Rating: A-
- 10252
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- That Thing You Do!
  
  Set in the 1964 and steeped in Americana, this Tom Hanks's directorial debut chronicles the meteoric rise--and equally quick demise--of a music group called the Wonders. The talented musicians start out playing in neighborhood joints. However, that changes after they meet a shrewd record executive (...