Tom Hanks is also a great songwriter. Great movie!

Rating: 10/10 (24 February 2003)

I love this movie! When I have a bad day or have the "blues" I slap this movie in and enjoy not just the great music but the great interaction between the leading cast members which include Hanks' look-a-like Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech and as notated in the credits: "The Bass Player" Ethan Embry, collectively known as "The Oneders", oops! make that "The Wonders". Hanks show us just how multi-talented he is by writing and directing this movie PLUS he re-created the innocence and joy of music from the 60's in minute detail. Hanks is the writer of the title song and of the offbeat instrumental "Spartacus" and it knocks me out that he has these incredible talents for so many artistic creations: Actor, Director, song writer, et.al. He also directs this movie as well as playing Play-Tone Manager, "Mr White" who leads the "The Wonders" to success through the "Play-Tone" label. Tom Everett Scott looks a lot like Tom Hanks during his "Bosom Buddy" days on TV, and I suspect that Hanks created this movie to showcase the talent that is Tom Everett Scott. Scott steals the movie with his humor, his sincere caring of others and if he is really a drummer, his talent! Zahn was great as the comic relief and Schaech was not only very handsome but very believable in portraying the moody Jimmy, lead singer, who has the true artistic temperament but is lacking in certain sensitivities. The songs are "snappy" and "catchy", capturing the true zenith of rock and roll in 1960's America. The catchy "Play-Tone" label, also created by Hanks, the reproductions of TV shows of the 60's, and the ambience of a time when rock and roll was growing up and showing off are all in this great movie. The title song, "That Thing You Do" is actually a great tune and I find myself wanting to hear it now and then, and sing along with it.
Liv Tyler as "Faye" was very sweet as the wronged girlfriend but I don't get how having a really bad cold during the West coast California "showcasing" had any revelance to the movie except to show that "Guy" noticed she was sick and was always "there" for her and "thinking" of her when Jimmy wasn't. Look for performances by Charlize Theron and Giovanni Ribisi as well. This is a light-hearted movie that you can just sit back, enjoy, sing a long with, and laugh. The biggest plus is that in watching the credits it is incredible to see that Hanks wrote many of the songs, the music, created the 60's TV shows so realistically and is not only a member of the Screen Actors Guild but also the Song Writers Guild - so many feathers in his already much-plummed hat. Does Tom Hanks' talents have no end? I hope not. Check out "Road to Perdition" for further proof. Rita Wilson, Hanks' wife, makes an appearance at the "Blue Spot" where Jazz greats meet to jam and have "cock and bull" sessions and where Guy meets his idol, Dale Paxton. Their own jam session results in "Spartacus", a great jazz instrumental, also written by Tom Hanks. Before you rewind the movie, wait for the end of the credits to see two of "The Wonders" music videos, including "That Thing You Do"!
In summary, I love that thing that Tom Hanks does with this well-made and entertaining comedy!