![]() ![]() 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1997. Written by Adam Schlesinger, the song is performed by the fictional 1960s band The Wonders, who are the focus of the film. " That Thing You Do" is the titular song appearing in the 1996 film of the same name. "All My Only Dreams" (fictitious 45 from the film). ![]() "Voyage Around the Moon (The Saturn 5)" (cassette).Or perhaps in this Beatles-esque universe, it’s Schaech’s Lennon to Scott’s McCartney. At times mirroring the duality of the ridiculousness and reverence of their career opportunity, the seething continues as it sets up Jimmy as the group’s bad boy v the perennial good Guy. As Jimmy becomes progressively frustrated at the levity of their rise in fame rather than revelling in it, cracks between the group and their individual ambitions begin to appear. The established conflict between Guy and Jimmy continues to face hurdles as their manager stacks the cards against Jimmy, who becomes increasingly at odds with his band mates and his girlfriend. One of the standout scenes is Tyler and the rest of the gang joyously reacting as the band hears their signature tune on the radio for the first time – the kind of effervescent and joyful scene that only Hanks could deliver without a hint of derision. ![]() Joining them through every show and tour is Jimmy’s girlfriend, Faye, played with wide-eyed innocence and suitable girl-next-door appeal by Liv Tyler. ![]() The bright, colourful set design and decidedly groovy 60s era costumes (thanks to designer Colleen Atwood) all add to the authenticity of this fictional yet familiar past, whilst Hanks cleverly peppers the script with cultural references and optimism. He steps out from behind the camera around a third of the way through the film as a slick and savvy industry manager, who guides the newly minted Wonders through rapidly escalating popularity as That Thing You Do! storms the charts, their fame crystallising with their first TV appearance. Hanks directs with a gentle, unforced touch, aided by his likeable cast. And in That Thing You Do! it’s the nice guy who’s celebrated. But in this universe, the drummer is the star – the backbone, the timekeeper. Jimmy, the talented, arrogant, self-appointed decision maker with the perfect Beatles quiff, is noticeably annoyed that he wasn’t consulted, marking the first of many clashes at the expense of his ego. Tom Everett Scott and Tom Hanks in That Thing You Do! Photograph: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy On the day of the talent show, however, Guy decides to set a much quicker tempo for the song, forcing the rest of the band to adapt their playing to match and the dance floor swells in response. Joining lead singer Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech), lead guitarist Lenny (played with wry, comedic wit by the scene-stealing Steve Zahn) and bass player (the delightful Ethan Embry, whose character is never given a name, in a cheeky nod to that one seemingly anonymous member of every band) for a quick rehearsal in a garage, Guy is introduced to the title track as an easy-listening ballad. The Oneders (pronounced the Wonders, but comically mispronounced as the O-Need-ers for the first half of the film) are in desperate need of a new drummer for a talent show performance after their usual fourth, Chad (Giovanni Ribisi), breaks his arm in a foolish mishap. The smart and sensitive Guy (a Tom Hanks doppelganger played by Tom Everett Scott) is about to be dumped by his almost-girlfriend, Tina (Charlize Theron, in one of her first Hollywood roles) when he is approached with the opportunity to join a band. ![]()
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