Fun but didn't fill me up!

Rating: Null/10 (16 July 2004)

I am a bit surprised at all the positive reviews of this movie. I love Tom Hanks and much of the work he's done, but, this movie disappointed me. The story is fun and paints what seems like a reasonably accurate picture of the music business, especially in the 60's when one song would get you everything, including dropped like a hot potato when your light flickered. The problem was in the character development and the flow. Several characters are introduced and given enough camera time to make you think they are going to be vital to the story, then, poof, they are gone from the story. Some, like the bass player, stay to the last 15 minutes then disappear. It was easy to see that the drummer and Liv Tyler would end up together, just hard to tolerate how long it took. The chemistry between the characters was not compelling. The relationship between the lead singer and Liv was hard to believe. He never seemed to have any interest in her from the beginning. Lastly, the wrap up prior to the credits is nearly intolerable. It might be funny in a picture like Animal House to give the follow up bios of the characters, but, in this movie it was a lame catch up on the disappearing acts and hardly believable for some. If the movie was meant to be light hearted and superficial, it should have stayed light hearted and superficial. I don't think Mr. Hanks knew exactly what he wanted.. there was either too little drama or too much, too little emotion or too much. There was no balance and it made the movie feel like it was moving 45mph through a parking lot with speed bumps every 30 feet. I'd like to see it made by a more experienced Tom Hanks to see if he would change it in any way.