This entry was posted on Saturday, April 14th, 2007 at 8:19 am and is filed under Dramedy, Musicals, T. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Director: Tom Hanks
Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron, Obba Babatunde
That Thing You Do, written, directed and co-starring the versatile Tom Hanks, is one of those comedies that holds an inexplicable appeal for me. The simple story is clean and well-written with wonderfully, appealing characters performed by a talented, young cast, that included Liv Tyler on the verge of stardom. Add this to a snappy, 60s style Oscar-nominated song and all the elements are there for a feel-good movie that I can happily watch a couple times a year.
Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) is spending 1964 selling appliances in his Dad’s store, and playing jazz music on his drums in the basement, until his friend Lenny (Steve Zahn) recruits him to join a band for a local talent show. Along with lead singer, Jimmy, (Johnathon Schaech), his stunning girlfriend, Faye (Liv Tyler) and a hopeless bass player, the Oneders are on the brink of a special time. They follow Guy’s input, and win the show. Things really take off when they are signed by Mr. White (Tom Hanks) for Playtone records and soon the whole group is on a crazy, rock n’ roll, roller coaster ride, but when things fly up so fast, can avoid a crash?
This is an excellent, light drama/comedy with natural characters and catchy tunes to go with a sixties musical fable. I consider this to be Tom Hank’s most under-rated project and it is a favorite film of mine.
