That Thing You Do!

ComedyDramaRomanceMusic
Overview : 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. But behind the scenes, the group’s sudden fame tests their strength, their maturity and responsibility, and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible.
Budget : 26000000USD
language : en
Runtime : 108 min
Release Date : 1996-10-04
Imdb ID : tt0117887
Status : Released

Cast

Tom Hanks
Mr. White

Tom Everett Scott
Guy Patterson

Liv Tyler
Faye Dolan

Johnathon Schaech
Jimmy Mattingly

Steve Zahn
Lenny Haise

Ethan Embry
T.B. Player

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
Margueritte

Chris Isaak
Uncle Bob

Kevin Pollak
Boss Vic Koss

Robert Torti
Freddy Fredrickson

Chaille Percival
Diane Dane

Holmes Osborne
Mr. Patterson

Claudia Stedelin
Mrs. Patterson

Dawn Maxey
Darlene Patterson

Jack Milo
Villapiano

Keith Neubert
Dentist

Lee Everett
Kitty

Sean Whalen
Heckler

Clint Howard
KJZZ Disk Jockey

Sarah Koskoff
Chrissy Thomkins

Mark Brettschneider
Talent Show Emcee

Kathleen Kinmont
Koss' Secretary

Warren Berlinger
Polaroid T.V. Host

Clive Rosengren
Wisconsin Cop

Brittney Powell
Shades Fan

Jonathan Demme
Major Motion Picture Director

Erika Greene
Major Motion Picture Assistant Director

Dave Oliver
Rick

Tracy Reiner
Anita

Barry Sobel
Goofball

Paul Feig
KMPC DJ

Gedde Watanabe
Play-Tone Photographer

Michael P. Byrne
Play-Tone Reporter

Dick Corman
Play-Tone Reporter

Diane McGee
Play-Tone Reporter

Randy Fechter
Play-Tone Tour Manager

Mars Callahan
Ernie the Disc Master Engineer

Benjamin John Parrillo
Marine Sergeant

Robert Ridgely
Hollywood Showcase Announcer

Marc McClure
Hollywood Showcase Director

Karen Praxel
Hollywood Showcase Script Supervisor

Paulie DiCocco
Hollywood Showcase Floor Manager

Bryan Cranston
Virgil "Gus" Grissom

Charlie Frye
Plate Spinner

Colin Hanks
Male Page

Elizabeth Hanks
Bored Girl in Dress Shop

Renée Lippin
Beautician

Robert Wisdom
Bobby Washington

Heather Hewitt
Sales Lady

Elina Madison
Go-Go Dancer (uncredited)

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Reviews

FilipeManuelNeto
**Tom Hanks gave life and affection to this project, which easily reminds us of the golden years of rock-and-roll.** The film is a very nice story that revolves around the world of ephemeral "rock and roll" stars. In 1964, a group of youngsters from Pennsylvania suddenly emerge from obscurity when their garage band, the Wonders, achieve fame and success on the back of a single song, "That Thing You Do". Believing in a potential that might not exist, the scouts of the music world waste no time and the boys get a contract with a major label, which is waiting expectantly for equally good songs. However, sudden fame will test the strength of the group, the maturity and responsibility of that guys and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible. Tom Hanks is more than a protagonist, he is the engine that pulls the film and makes it possible. He had achieved fame at the expense of good comedies like “Big” or “Money Pit”, but he had his consecration in films like “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Philadelphia”, “Forrest Gump” and “Apollo 13”. In addition, he already had two Oscars on his shelf, so he had the means to leverage a project he liked, and there is no doubt that he liked this one, and it was the lever that made it go forward. And contrary to what often happens in these situations, he didn't want the lead role: it's in a reasonably more modest role that we see him, a role where he doesn't fail to stand out. The main role is assured by the band's boys, played by Tom Everett Scott, Johnatton Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry and Giovanni Ribisi. All quite young, still at the beginning of their respective careers, all capable of relatively slick and honest work, especially Scott, who is given a little more visibility. We also have to highlight the pleasant participation of Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron. The film is quite light, lively and cheerful, even in the most tense moments, and in which it takes paths that could make it denser, more dramatic and profound, which it always avoids. That was a conscious choice, I'm sure, and that's debatable. Where the film stands out is in its attention to historical details, in the care with which it seeks to recreate the era and environments through the choice of suitable props, good costumes and make-up, as well as a set of excellent sets. And being such a musical film, the soundtrack is unavoidable and vibrant, with songs that stay in the ear and where the main melody, created especially for the film emulating the aesthetics and taste of the time, deserves a very special highlight.