That Thing You Do! (1996)

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.

Director:

Tom Hanks

Writer:

Tom Hanks

Stars:

Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Tom Hanks

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Everett Scott	...	Guy Patterson
Liv Tyler	...	Faye Dolan
Johnathon Schaech	...	Jimmy Mattingly
Steve Zahn	...	Lenny Haise
Ethan Embry	...	T. B. Player
Tom Hanks	...	Mr. White
Charlize Theron	...	Tina
Obba Babatundé	...	Lamarr
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Chad
Chris Ellis	...	Phil Horace
Alex Rocco	...	Sol Siler
Bill Cobbs	...	Del Paxton
Peter Scolari	...	Troy Chesterfield
Rita Wilson	...	Marguerite
Chris Isaak	...	Uncle Bob

Storyline

Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy's ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion.

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Plot Keywords:

band | pennsylvania | song | appliance store | jazz | 

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Taglines:

In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

¡Eso que tú haces!

Filming Locations:

490 Prospect Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ITL 107,230,000 (Italy) (30 May 1997)

Gross:

ITL 187,396,000 (Italy) (6 June 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clavius Base, Clinica Estetico, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 149 min (Director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The bass player in the all-female folk band during the talent show audition is Jennifer York, a morning helicopter traffic reporter for KTLA Channel Five in Los Angeles.

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Goofs

When Faye and Guy are kissing at the end of the movie, the weather changes from an overcast-type lighting to a bright sunshine each time they change camera angles.

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Quotes

Lenny: Hey, wasn't that our fan?

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Crazy Credits

Soundtrack released on the fictional Play-tone records.

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Connections

Referenced in 3rd Rock from the Sun: Dick Solomon's Day Off (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Lovin' You Lots and Lots"
Written by Tom Hanks

User Reviews

Familiar tale told freshly, honestly, with appealing cast

We've sorta been down this road before: 1960s pop band makes it out of their dead-end hometown for Hollywood, but fame and fortune unravel the fun. Still, this picture has remarkable focus, careful period detail, and a lovely cast that rarely (if ever) strikes a false note. If some of the young actors sometimes seem like they're doing Tom Hanks impersonations, that's okay because director Hanks (himself a co-star) seems to know these characters inside and out--and he likes them. We in the audience are quick to respond, and even the conventional parts of the movie work because Hanks rides over clichés with verve and enthusiasm and wit. Not a raucous comedy a la "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (which is what it looked like to me in the ads), this has its share of subtle moments. There is a mean-spirited dig at the Frankie & Annette "Beach Party" flicks, and the ready-made romance at the end is sugar-coated, but "That Thing You Do!" is immensely likable. It has a huge heart. ***1/2 from ****