The O-Needers!

Rating: Null/10 (31 October 2011)

That Thing You Do! Is written and directed by Tom Hanks who also co-stars with Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech and Ethan Embry. Film is set in the summer of 1964 and tells of the story of American one hit wonder band, The Wonders. Who after scoring big with their catchy debut single That Thing That You Do, hope to blaze the hits trail like the British Beatles. But with success comes lifestyle changes, and inevitably cracks start to appear in the group dynamic.
Utterly charming in places, and propelled by an irritatingly catchy theme tune, Tom Hanks' directing debut is enjoyable while it's on, if ultimately it's very predictable fare. It lacks bite for the dramatic threads, but the characterisations are strong, the period detail is spot on (Hanks clearly utilising his memory banks) and there's nothing to complain about in the acting. However, the trajectory of the story stays on such a safe formulaic road, with not a snippet of villainy or hardship to be found, that it's hard to genuinely root for this band to succeed. We like them, we like their song, but it's all made so easy for them, while there's also a distinct lack of humour to be found along the way. When the band starts to implode, ask yourself if you really care or not? Safe is the key word, Hanks has played it safe, it's inoffensive stuff and impossible to dislike, and there should be the odd tingle of warmth coursing through your body. But you have to be in a safe sort of mood to forgive it its lack of guts, or at the very least, adventure. 6/10