A fast-paced look @ the life of a 1960's rock band. A great depiction of the look & feel of the times. In a league with movies like "A Hard Day's Night"!

Rating: 9/10 (27 July 2005)

I really enjoyed this movie. "That Thing You Do" is a fast-paced look @ rock 'n roll music in 1960's America. Set in Erie, Pennsylvania, the movie did a great job of re-creating the look and feel of the times. It does for 1960's teenagers what "American Graffiti" did for the '50's. At the same time it is not at all unlike the Beatles "A Hard Days Night" - 60 days in the life of a rock 'n roll band. The ensemble cast was excellent. They did a great job of depicting what '60's teenagers in America were like - a much more innocent & naive world view than that possessed by kids today. Tom Hanks also did a nice job in a limited, for him, role. He adds a little real world experience in contrast to the idealistic Wonders. The movie is worth watching for the soundtrack alone! Unlike George Lucas's "American Graffitti", the soundtrack here consisted entirely of works written specifically for the "That Thing You Do". This serves to give you the feeling that you are discovering the music of the Wonders along with the rest of the country. It's not just another re-hashing of golden oldies. The new old hits played in this movie help to create a world very similar to what really happened, yet different. The Wonders become a real group, playing their songs, rather than the millionth rendition of "Johnnie B. Good". If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn that the songs played by the Wonders and the other acts in the movie were actual hit songs from the '60's. The music really fit the times. It's a fun, enjoyable movie. I would recommend it for anyone!