THAT THING YOU DO
US, 1996, 105 minutes, Colour.
Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Jonathon Schaech, Ethan Embrey, Tom Hanks, Giovanni Ribisi, Charlize Theron, Alex Rocco, Kevin Pollak.
Directed by Tom Hanks.
Tom Hanks has gone into the writing and directing business (and acts here as well) with a pleasant but familiar story: the hopeful young band who are discovered by the talent scout, have a hit record and go on to movies and TV - but are they a one hit wonder? The title of the film refers to the song that is their hit - and it is played often enough to last a lifetime. The setting is Pennsylvania 1964 (echoes of the Beattles) and it is given nostalgia visual and musical treatment. The young cast led by Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler and Jonathan Schaech are enthusiastic. Hanks is their manager. It's a nice kind of film, the dream that not only can every American become president, but they can also become a showbiz personality. Genial nostalgia.
1.A memoir of the 1960s? The rock ‘n roll era? Nostalgia? The re-creation of the era?
2.Eerie, Pennsylvania, a town of the 60s, the electronics store, the restaurants, the schools, clubs? The contrast with the American road, the range of cities and gigs? Los Angeles, the movie set, television, the hotels?
3.The rock ‘n roll era, the songs, the music and its style? The title song – its Oscar nomination, its very, very frequent use during the film?
4.The focus on Guy Patterson, age, experience, playing the drums, his skills, knowledge of jazz musicians, working in his father’s store, his relationship with his father, the family? His friendship with Tina? His friends, their request, the drummer and his injury, his decision to join the group, his leadership? The singing of the song, his relationship with each of the members? His friendship with Fay? His decision to perform, the response, people dancing, the build-up to the record?
5.Jimmy, his composition, at the sessions, his place in the band, singing, his song? His relationship with Fay? His moods, ultimately his clash with Mr White, his wanting to leave the band? His bad reaction to the information on TV that he was engaged to Fay? His confronting her, dumping her? Her strong-hearted speech back to him?
6.Lenny, enthusiastic, friendly, enjoying everything, with the girls, eventually going to Las Vegas, marrying?
7.The player, his personality, enthusiasm, his meeting the marines, John joining up, the push-ups, absenting himself, not being able to be found, going to Disneyland and enjoying it? Mr White and his getting the substitute, his skill with the guitar?
8.Their hearing the recording, in the shop, their getting the agent, his bookings, his going as far as he could, his handing them over to Mr White’s? management?
9.Mr White, type, plans, tough agent, the tour, the theatre and the microphones? The film – and Jimmy’s reaction? The detail of filming, the later dubbing of the music? The television program – and the success of the song, the response of the audience? The girls? The problems, Lenny getting married, the player absent, Jimmy and his mood? Mr White and his decisions and Guy’s decision to leave?
10.Guy and Dell, at the bar, Marguerite and her being with Guy, introducing him? His talking, in the record studio, Dell hearing him play, their jamming together?
11.Fay, nice, her love for Jimmy? Her friendship with Guy? Her being sick on the plane? Her getting ready for the television? Her hair and her dress? Her enthusiasm in the audience, the shock of her being dumped by Jimmy? Her speech to him, the expressions about being kissed? And the fact that she said shame on herself for loving him? Her leaving, the farewell to Guy, his love for her, her returning with him?
12.Tina, the cool blonde, the girlfriend, the band being beneath her, her going to some of the gigs? Her going to the dentist and dumping Guy?
13.Guy’s father, the shop, competition? The selling of the goods? At home, their excitement in watching the band on television?
14.The final pieces of information about each of the characters – a summary of what they did, their success? The happy ending?
