that
thing you do!
.
.
A romantic comedy written and directed by Academy Award Winner Tom Hanks,
That Thing You Do is electric, funny, sweet and romantic - and has
a snappy song that will stick in your head for weeks!
It's the summer of 1964, just after the Beatles took America by storm.
Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) toils unhappily in his family's appliance
store, but by night he entreats his 'magic hands' to a play on the drum
kit in his basement and plays up a storm of jazz percussion. One
night Guy sits in as the drummer for a local band who are playing at a
college talent show. He injects his own upbeat jazz rhythm into lead
singer Jimmy's ballad, and That Thing You Do was born to instant
fame. One month later, Guy, Jimmy ( Johnathon Schaech), Lenny (Steve
Zahn), Ethan the Bass Player (Ethan Randall) and Jimmy's girlfriend Faye
(Liv Tyler) are on the road and well on the way through the Oneders
- later renamed the Wonders, whirlwind of success. Under the
guidance of their Play-tone manager, Mr. White (Hanks), they tour
all over the States until they land in Hollywood, meanwhile, That Thing
You Do has been soaring up the charts, eventually to peak at number
2 in August 1964.
.
Mr.
White: You guys look great in black, have I told you that?
... You guys look great in gold, have I told you that?
... You guys look great in red, have I told you that?
.
While the song is doing it's thing, the members of the group
discover life on the road is different from their small town life
in Erie, Pennsylvania.
.
Guy:
We used to get all crazy up in Erie, Pennsylvania!
Lenny: Yeah! One time, we stayed up past midnight!
.
Wisecracking
Lenny eventually runs off and marries a Playtone secretary while the 'Bass
Player' disappears - known to have served only two hours in Vietnam after
preparing for months to join the army!
.
Lenny
Haise: So how long have you worked at Play-tone?
Receptionist: How long have you been wearing such tight pants?
Lenny Haise: Hey, if that's a pick-up line we're a match made in heaven.
.
Jimmy
is taken over by fame fever and cruelly rejects Faye, his loyal girlfriend.
After a while it is evident that Guy holds Faye in very high regard, and
this is a romance which holds to its credit some very sweet looks, one
liners, and hints from other characters which indicate they have picked
up on this attraction before the individual's involved do.
.
Guy
(to Faye): When was the last time you were decently kissed? I mean, really,
honestly good and kissed?
.
The movie tells the 'familiar story' of bands who fall apart after not
knowing how to handle their one-hit wonder, as well as stories of meeting
one's idols, falling in love with the *right* person, and staying sane
in amongst the fun, dancing and rhythm that was the very cool 60s rock
and roll sound.
.
Fan:
Hey, when are you gonna play That Thing You Do!?... We came here
to meet girls and dance, and we can't meet girls until we dance!
.
Hanks is his usual charming and witty self, and the rest of the cast, although
kind of unknown, are absolutely terrific in their respective roles.
Liv Tyler plays the sweet Faye to perfection and one can't help but like
and sympathise with her.
.
Faye:
Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes shut so tight.
.
Taking over the movie however is Tom Everett Scott and his perfect characterisation
of Guy Patterson ~
I...
am... Spartacus!
.
He is funny, witty and ultimately likable with one of the cutest, fresh
faces to hit our screens in a while.
This movie is highly recommended as it contains everything anyone could
want for a period of light entertainment - great story, lots of laughs
and a light, sweet romance all frosted with a tinge of realism. Take
a peek at this effort of Tom Hanks' - it's sure to become a favourite.
A side note - if you love the music in this movie do not hesitate to buy
the soundtrack - it's brilliant!
.
.
.
Go
Back Home
Back
to Romantic Movies of the 80s & 90s
Written material (except where stated) copyrighted,
and collage created by Sarah
1997