That Thing You Do!

( 18 )

Overview

Tom Hanks made his directorial debut in this bright comedy set in the mid-1960's about a rock group and their brief fling with fame. Guy Patterson Tom Everett Scott works as a salesman at his father's appliance store and plays the drums in his spare time, fancying himself a jazz musician. One day, a buddy of Guy's tells him a local rock band, The One-Ders it's pronounced "wonders", are in need of a drummer -- they have Battle of the Bands coming up and their usual timekeeper has broken his arm. Guy agrees to sit ...
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DVD (Director's Cut)
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Overview

Tom Hanks made his directorial debut in this bright comedy set in the mid-1960's about a rock group and their brief fling with fame. Guy Patterson Tom Everett Scott works as a salesman at his father's appliance store and plays the drums in his spare time, fancying himself a jazz musician. One day, a buddy of Guy's tells him a local rock band, The One-Ders it's pronounced "wonders", are in need of a drummer -- they have Battle of the Bands coming up and their usual timekeeper has broken his arm. Guy agrees to sit in, but when it's time to play their best original, a love ballad called "That Thing You Do," Guy lays in a sharp, driving beat that turns the tune into an uptempo pop-rocker. Lead singer Jimmy Johnathon Schaech isn't happy at first, but guitarist Lenny Steve Zahn and the nameless Bass Player Ethan Embry think the song sounds better that way -- and they notice the girls like it just fine. Soon people are actually requesting the song at their shows, and the One-Ders scrape together some money to press a single of "That Thing You Do" to sell between sets. A DJ puts the song on the radio, and opportunity knocks in the form of Mr. White Tom Hanks, who works for the very major Play-Tone Records label. Play-Tone buys the rights to "That Thing You Do" and puts the band on the road as their song makes it way to the top of the national charts. But what can The Wonders as Play-Tone have re-named them do for an encore? And what should Guy do about his infatuation with Jimmy's girlfriend, Faye Liv Tyler? Real-life 60's obsessed rocker Chris Isaak has a small part as a recording engineer, and fans of real 60's garage bands will appreciate the wealth of small, accurately observed details for example, halfway through the film, when a few "That Thing You Do" royalty checks have presumably kicked in, the band's inexpensive Danelectro guitars disappear and the Wonders are suddenly playing on brand new Fender gear -- the height of rock style in 1965.
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Special Features

Disc one; Includes the original theatrical release plus extended cut!; Disc two; Exclusive featurettes: Making That Thing You Do!; The Story of the Wonders; That Thing You Do! Reunion; The Wonders - Big in Japan!; HBO First Look: That Thing You Do!; "Feel Alright" music video; Trailers and TV Spot
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Perry Seibert
Tom Hanks was arguably the most beloved American actor of the '90s. He usually played likable characters, and for his directorial debut, Hanks created a film that is like his performances. The cast of That Thing You Do ingratiates themselves to the audience with ease. Thomas Everett Scott (who physically resembles the director) invests Guy with such a sense of amazement at his own success that the audience can't help but be brought along for the ride. Jonathan Schaech gives Jimmy a cold, calculating quality that makes it easy to believe he would be capable of writing something as aggressively catchy as the title tune. Hanks himself plays a seen-it-all-before record company executive who, though all business, hasn't lost his heart. Written by Adam Schlesinger, the fiendishly catchy title tune evokes the British invasion of the early '60s without sounding like a retread of any particular song. Even if one doesn't like the song, it is impossible to deny that it sounds like a hit record. The verisimilitude of the music, the charm of the performers, and the attention to detail outweigh the more clichéd aspects of the story just enough to make That Thing You Do an enjoyable tale of rock & roll success, like an episode of Behind the Music without the debauchery.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/8/2007
  • UPC: 024543381648
  • Original Release: 1996

    • Rating:

  • Source: 20th Century Fox
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Director's Cut
  • Time: 1:48:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 9,517

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Tom Everett Scott Guy Patterson
Liv Tyler Faye Dolan
Johnathon Schaech Jimmy
Charlize Theron Tina
Steve Zahn Lenny
Ethan Embry The Bass Player
Tom Hanks Mr. White
Obba Babatunde Lamarr
Bill Cobbs Del Paxton
Chris Ellis Horace
Paul Feig KMPC D.J. (uncredited)
Chris Isaak Uncle Bob
Howie Long
Alphonse Mouzon Blue Spot Member
Kevin Pollak Boss Vic Koss
Giovanni Ribisi Chad
Alex Rocco Sol Siler
Peter Scolari Troy Chesterfield
Sean Whalen Heckler
Rita Wilson Marguerite
Technical Credits
Tom Hanks Director, Screenwriter
Colleen Atwood Costumes/Costume Designer
Merideth Boswell Set Decoration/Design
Richard Chew Editor
Keith P. Cunningham Set Decoration/Design
Jonathan Demme Producer
Howard Feuer Casting
Katterli A. Frauenfelder Asst. Director
Tak Fujimoto Cinematographer
Stella Furner Set Decoration/Design
Gary Goetzman Producer
Victor Kempster Production Designer
Masako Masuda Set Decoration/Design
Terry Odem Associate Producer
Mike Piccirillo Songwriter
John Pritchett Sound/Sound Designer
Edward Saxon Producer
Adam Schlesinger Songwriter
Howard Shore Score Composer, Songwriter
Dan Webster Art Director
Suzan Wexler Set Decoration/Design
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Menu

Disc #1 -- That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks' Extended Cut
   Play Movie
      Play Theatrical Version
      Play Extended Cut
   Language Selection
      English 5.0 Dolby Digital
      French Dolby Surround
      Spanish Dolby Surround
      English
      Spanish
      None
   Scene Selection
      Main Titles/(Lovin' You Lots and Lots)
      Mr. Downtown
      What's In a Name?
      Man Down!
      A Big Proposition
      The One-ders
      The Mercyhurst College Talent Show
      Uptempo Beat
      Villapiano's
      Make a Record
      A Big Fan
      Little Wild One
      Hose
      Phil Horace
      Christmas in July
      On the Radio
      Other Plans
      2,203
      Welcome to Pittsburgh
      The Play-Tone Galaxy of Stars
      The Ohio State Fair
      Climbing the Charts
      Dance With Me Tonight
      Look Out, Wisconsin
      Going to California
      Movie Star Musicians
      Pay Homage to Sol
      Jazz Quiz
      The Blue Spot
      Lost Cause
      Advice From Del
      Wolfman Fills In
      The Hollywood Television Showcase
      That Thing You Do
      Wasted Kisses
      One-Hit Wonders
      Spartacus
      Saying Goodbye
      One Question
      Where are They Now? End Titles
Disc #2 -- That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks' Extended Cut
   "Feel Alright" Video
   The Wonders! Big in Japan!
   The Story of the Wonders
   Making That Thing You Do!
   That Thing You Do! Reunion
   HBO First Look - The Making of That Thing You Do!
   Trailers and TV Spots
      TV Spot
      Trailer A
      Trailer B
      Trailer C
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 18 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(15)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 18 Customer Reviews

  • Posted February 4, 2011

    Director's Cut Is The One To Own

    "That Thing You Do" - for me anyway - is one of those movies that can be seen multiple times. This is an engaging story of a mythical, but highly believable, one-hit wonder band from the 1960's. Tom Hanks' direction is excellent and the actors were well-chosen and well-rehearsed by Hanks. If you're a fan of the movie at all, you really must own this Director's Extended Cut - it seems like a more complete story with some great added scenes. I can't believe what they left on the cutting room floor in the theatrical release.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Up
    Catch Me If You Can
    The Italian Job (2003)

    Fun, Fun, Fun!!

    The reviews on this thread prove that 9 (not including myself) out of 10 people absolutely LOVE this movie. And the one guy that said didn't like it still admitted it was okay and that was about as negative as he got. Two, possibly three, people said this movie is addicting. So I mean it literally when I say don't take my word for it. It's like the Italian Job in the sense that the only way to describe it is just plain fun for everyone. I'd really like to see Tom Hanks behind the camera again because he brings such dry humor to the screen.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The Oneders are onederful!

    This movie and its music is addictive. Every time the movie is on TV I will watch it. I bought the soundtrack because I love the music. It is just a good, fun movie to watch

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Addicting!!

    Okay, the very first time I saw this movie it was on HBO and that was back in '97 or '98 and every time it was on I would watch it, but I was still young enough not to pay much attention to it. Well recently it's been on TV and I've been watching it. I have become addicted to it. honestly! The music is actually really good. I sing it all the time and even make family and friends listen to it. It's a must see film! No, it's not an all time "great", but i promise you that you'll remember it! As Tom Hanks Directorial Debut he did a fantastic job and for his wonderful writing skills ... KUDOS!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    AWESOME

    The movie was funny and cool, and I loved it when Faye was running down the street screaming in joy and running into Pattersons where they danced around the machines. If you want a feel good movie, I strongly suggest you watch this movie that is full of laughter, hope, fun, and happiness!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Brings back memories

    I though this film only gave us the first glimpse into the genius of Tom Hanks. It brings back memories of my being in a similar situation in the late 60's to early 70's. Great fun and music were had in those times.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best Movie Ever!

    This movie is great! The band was awesome! Its a movie you and your friends can watch. Its the BEST!!!!!!!!!!:)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great movie

    I have a band, and this movie was a great inspiration. The soundtrack is great, and it's the kind of music I like, so I loved it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    That music and movie you'll love!

    If you love music, and have ever been in a band... you'll find yourself wiping away tears of laughter at this group of guys, Tom Everett Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn,Ethan Embry and the one girl friend along for the adventure, Liv Tyler. The standalone soundtrack is as likable as the movie. The songs are so snappy and fun my 5th grader enjoys them--even though he chose not to be interviewed for this review. Make sure you don't miss this movie!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    An ''ok'' movie

    It's a good movie, entretaining, but not the best one I've seen. The cast is ok, only with an excepcional Tom Hanks (but not his best film at all) It's a simple story and that's it. I enjoyed it, but it's a one-time movie. No brilliance at all in the plot. Very predictable.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    That movie you love

    This is the best movie ever. It tells all about what you go through in the music business. if you ever want to be a music star, you have to see this movie. they picked the best cast they could. Tom Everett Scott plays ''Shades'' wonderfully. Johnathan Schaech is the best man to play Jimmy. They give the funny touch on Steve Zahn.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Love it!

    This movie is fun, and has a great soundtrack to listen to! It'll make you laugh and sing the whole way through it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 31, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 13, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 12, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 24, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 24, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 18 Customer Reviews