That Thing You Do! on DVD (1996)

Sparkling, light-hearted comedy

Huwie from Dyfed , 01/01/2004

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, too, and "borrowed" the name of his own production company (Playtone) as "Play-tone", the record label that figures largely (and not entirely flatteringly) in the film.

The soundtrack is both catchy and authentic -- you could easily imagine the title track being a 60s hit, and after the movie you'll probably be humming it for days :-) According to the included documentary, the cast learned/played their own instruments -- and perhaps this is what gave such an authentic feel to the film because the team was forced to gel in more than the usual on-set sense.

The song "That thing you do" is created by a band of young musicians and gets picked up by progressively larger markets -- the school talent competition, the local bar, the roving spotter/manager, and finally by Play-tone. The band members undertake similar journeys as they variously implode or blossom. There's plenty of artistic and romantic conflict, but this is mainly feel-good comedy: only the most miserable curmudgeon could fail to come away from it feeling uplifted.

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Excellent

A customer from Notts , 09/04/2006

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 Babatundé, the latter taking over every scene he's in.

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Watch Slade in Flame instead

howie from Hertford [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/09/2004

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 life-altering experience watching this film.

It's a light, bright, predictable drama about a group of one-hit wonders, set in the era of the so-called Briitish invasion of the American pop charts. It's well observed family-friendly fare, but it lacks passion or emotional conflict. The band predictably falls apart, but no one seems to care, and neither did I.

If you want a grittier view of life on the road, check out Slade's surprisingly downbeat 'Flame'. If you want early sixties nostalgia, go for 'American Grafitti'

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julie#3 from WHITEHAVEN , 08/12/2003

Tom Hanks played an exceptional performance, showing he is an all round actor and he can play any role.

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Watch Slade in Flame instead

howie from Hertford [Highly rated reviewer] , 21/09/2004

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 life-altering experience watching this film.

It's a light, bright, predictable drama about a group of one-hit wonders, set in the era of the so-called Briitish invasion of the American pop charts. It's well observed family-friendly fare, but it lacks passion or emotional conflict. The band predictably falls apart, but no one seems to care, and neither did I.

If you want a grittier view of life on the road, check out Slade's surprisingly downbeat 'Flame'. If you want early sixties nostalgia, go for 'American Grafitti'

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ho hum

snowyte from West Glamorgan , 26/10/2005

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 feeling this film does not go on Tom Hanks CV. If you are having trouble sleeping, this film is better than sleeping pills.

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