Writer/Director: Tom Hanks
Starring: Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler and Steve Zahn
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors are as beloved as Tom Hanks. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, troubled soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a talent for creating characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has started in many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hanks and adore all the movies which he has made in his career. However, “That Thing You Do!” is his most underrated work. Released in 1996, Tom Hanks’ movie offered a powerful portrait of rock bands. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best music movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a rock band manager facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “That Thing You Do!” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about musicians, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about musicians, there are several reasons why “That Thing You Do!” Is a film which is worth watching.
Set in 1960’s Pennsylvania, “That Thing You Do!” tells the story of a rock band seeking to make dreams come true. Tom Hanks plays Mr. White, the manager of a world-famous rock band that’s bright. Mr. White has often had a love for music that he has often cared for deeply. However, Mr. White’s life forever changed when his band faces the pressure of fame causing disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Mr. White soon wonders whether it’s possible for him to be a famous manager. Facing obstacles which prove to be tragic, Mr. White questions love for music.
Tom Hanks is a newcomer towards stories of rock bands. Before he had made “That Thing You Do!”, Hanks had never directed a film before. It was the actor’s first attempt to step behind the camera for a movie about rock melodies but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Hanks captures a rock band on a journey to find its identity. Recalling Richard Lester’s “A Hard Day’s Night”, Hanks expertly uses montages to capture a band embarking on a musician journey. For instance, montages elevate the rehearsals scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mr. White rehearses music for shows involving his bands. Using montages, Lester crested a portrait of bands that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” proved, montage elevates films about childhood. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Hanks captures tensions managers of bands are facing.
Another aspect of “That Thing You Do!” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive musical films ever made. Evoking Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous”, Hanks expertly uses live singing to craft a portrait of a rock band that’s famous. For instance, live singing elevates the band performance scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mr. White arranges a musical performance for his band. Using live singing, Hanks creates a musical drama that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Howard Shore’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that musicians bear. Using bold production, Hanks captures rock bands that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “That Thing You Do!” is a film about bands that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and uses dramatic monologues to capture the struggles faced by bands which face tension. Throughout the movie, Hanks uses dramatic monologues to capture rock bands which endure adversity. For instance, the dramatic monologues elevate the band speech scene. During this melodious scene, Mr. White delivers a captivating speech to his band giving them motivation to succeed in a competition. Through bold monologues, Hanks creates a portrait of rock bands that audiences can relate to. Monologues are a complex technique. As Jonathan Demme’s “Philadelphia” proved, monologues elevate courtroom dramas. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this film. Through a spellbinding screenplay, Hanks captures bands having melodies to play.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as Mr. White. Hanks earned appreciations for playing big teenagers in coming of age films. With “That Thing You Do!”, however, Hanks took upon his most musical role. It isn’t easy to portray a music manager that faces adversity, but Hanks succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and funny in his most musical role. With riveting expressions, he captures the ambition, desperation and resentment of a music manager facing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Tom Hanks, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciation. Steve Zahn is spectacular, capturing the larger than life personality of a musician that has dreams to achieve. Liv Tyler is terrific, capturing the passionate nature of a woman that grows up to love a band she has come to treasure. Lastly, Charlize Theron merits appreciation. As a young woman with love for music, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “That Thing You Do!” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the hardship musicians go through. Unlike most movies about musicians, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would easily relate to. It discusses bold themes such as ambitions, mental health and music which will resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “That Thing You Do!” Is one of those rare movies about music everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks would absolutely enjoy “That Thing You Do!” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A magnificent music drama, it celebrates the legacy of an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about managers that seek to manage famous music bands that are heroic, it’s a fantastic reminder about a committed actor that has created an iconic legacy through his abilities to portray strong characters in memorable movies that have always captivated the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 