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That Thing You Do! (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
4 October 1996 (USA) moreTagline:
In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.Plot:
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. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Applegate & Husband To Split (From WENN. 7 December 2005)
Hanks Quits Directing
(From WENN. 18 September 2002)
User Comments:
A Refreshing Throwback moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Tom Everett Scott | ... | Guy Patterson | |
| Liv Tyler | ... | Faye Dolan | |
| Johnathon Schaech | ... | Jimmy Mattingly | |
| Steve Zahn | ... | Lenny Haise | |
| Ethan Embry | ... | T. B. Player | |
| Tom Hanks | ... | Mr. White | |
| 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 | ... | Marguerite | |
| Chris Isaak | ... | Uncle Bob |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for some language.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
108 min | USA:149 min (Director's cut)Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreCertification:
Iceland:L | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG | South Korea:15Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Tom Hanks named his production company Play-Tone after the fictional record label in the movie. moreGoofs:
Factual errors: When leaving the Wisconsin State Fair and learning that their record has hit #7 on the charts, Lenny asks if they get a gold record. Guy tells him they need to sell 500,000 copies. In 1964, 500,000 copies was the sales plateau for an LP to go Gold, but the sales plateau for singles was 1,000,000 copies. It was not until 1989 that the sales plateau for singles was lowered to 500,000 copies. moreQuotes:
Jimmy: [after their gig at "Weekend at Party Pier"] Hey, do we have a Top 10 record?Mr. White: You sure do.
Jimmy: Well then, we shouldn't be here.
Mr. White: Jimmy, you'd rather be back on that state fair tour? They're playing in North Dakota this week.
more
Soundtrack:
Sad Sad Boy moreFAQ
Is Mr. White really gay?more
more
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I remember when I first saw this in the '90s and thinking, "Wow, what a shock: a modern-day movie with no no villains, no nasty people and nary a cuss word." I kept waiting for that stuff, and it never appeared. It also has a nice sentimental ending.
The story is a simple one about a group of average guys who form a band and become one-hit wonders.
Tom Everett Scott, a young Tom Hanks-lookalike, is an appealing lead and Liv Tyler looks very, very pretty in the female lead role. The band in this almost-old-fashioned musical, is good to hear, too. They are a throwback to the old movie musical days of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Yes, you hear the same song (the movie title) over and over but's a great song which is very catchy. The rest of the music is decent, too.
Speaking of Hanks, he plays the promoter of the group. It's not a huge part but Hanks, as always, is entertaining. The whole film is, and, is refreshing to see.