In this story about the rise and fall of a pre-Beatles rock band--written by, directed by and starring Hanks--his true colors shine.
Comment
01/01/00
That Thing You Do! (1996)
91
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:47
Fresh:43
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 35 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Set in the 1964 and steeped in Americana, this film chronicles the meteoric rise -- and equally quick demise -- of a music group called The Wonders. The talented musicians start out playing in... [More]
Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry
Director: Tom Hanks
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Reviews for That Thing You Do!
In short, this is a lightweight but utterly loveable affair which proves Hanks is as assured behind the camera as in front of it.
01/01/00
A barely there-tale of rock 'n' roll dreams, driven by the infectious title tune.
12/17/07
Whereas Dances With Wolves was an epic cultural tract, That Thing You Do! is a piece of entertaining bubblegum which, like its director, making his feature directorial debut, is high on charm and style.
05/10/09
The good old days look good indeed in this movie.
01/01/00
Rock on, Hanks.
01/01/00
First-time writer/director Tom Hanks stays about a half-beat ahead of the cliches with rim shots of boyish enthusiasm and deft comedy. The movie’s also buoyed by the title song, whose Beatles sound is infectious enough to merit a real hit.
12/17/07
Top CriticHanks sacrificed character complexity, but at least some period details are right.
10/29/03
A sweet, likeable tale of the quick rise to fame and then demise of a small town band. Set in 1964, Hanks' film offers a sanitized, Gump-ish look at a mythical period when boys were boys and girls were girls, with no references to the sex-drug subculture
01/03/07
Top CriticSweet nothing, then, but what would you expect of a rock movie devoted to the drummer?
06/24/06
In his first effort at directing a feature film, Hanks chooses his material wisely and writes it with witty, beguiling charm.
01/01/00
That Thing You Do! is a credible first effort.
01/01/00
Top CriticTom Hanks' writing-directing debut is a sweet valentine to rock 'n' roll.
11/07/02
Hanks or no Hanks this gem of a movie is definitely worth the time.
02/14/01
Mr. Hanks's debut feature, written and directed with delightful good cheer, is rock-and-roll nostalgia presented as pure fizz.
05/20/03
Top CriticIn the end, the movie simply clicks. It is a class act all the way.
01/01/00
Top CriticThe film definitely does its own thing and often does it well.
01/01/00
...nearly everything has incredible, subtle depth and this just make the movie that much more enjoyable.
03/21/01
Hanks' film is about how all good things come to an end. The important thing is to enjoy it all while it lasts.
01/01/00
Latest News for That Thing You Do!
November 09, 2005:
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