A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.
Tom Hanks
Mr. White
Tom Everett Scott
Guy Patterson
Liv Tyler
Faye Dolan
Johnathon Schaech
Jimmy Mattingly
Steve Zahn
Lenny Haise
Ethan Embry
T.B. Player
Charlize Theron
Tina
Obba Babatundé
Lamarr
Giovanni Ribisi
Chad
Chris Ellis
Phil Horace
Alex Rocco
Sol Siler
Bill Cobbs
Del Paxton
Peter Scolari
Troy Chesterfield
Rita Wilson
Margueritte
Chris Isaak
Uncle Bob
Kevin Pollak
Boss Vic Koss
Robert Torti
Freddy Fredrickson
Chaille Percival
Diane Dane
Holmes Osborne
Mr. Patterson
Claudia Stedelin
Mrs. Patterson
Dawn Maxey
Darlene Patterson
Jack Milo
Villapiano
Keith Neubert
Dentist
Lee Everett
Kitty
Sean Whalen
Heckler
Clint Howard
KJZZ Disk Jockey
Sarah Koskoff
Chrissy Thomkins
Mark Brettschneider
Talent Show Emcee
Kathleen Kinmont
Koss' Secretary
Warren Berlinger
Polaroid T.V. Host
Clive Rosengren
Wisconsin Cop
Brittney Powell
Shades Fan
Jonathan Demme
Major Motion Picture Director
Erika Greene
Major Motion Picture Assistant Director
Dave Oliver
Rick
Tracy Reiner
Anita
Barry Sobel
Goofball
Paul Feig
KMPC DJ
Gedde Watanabe
Play-Tone Photographer
Michael P. Byrne
Play-Tone Reporter
Dick Corman
Play-Tone Reporter
Diane McGee
Play-Tone Reporter
Randy Fechter
Play-Tone Tour Manager
Mars Callahan
Ernie the Disc Master Engineer
Benjamin John Parrillo
Marine Sergeant
Robert Ridgely
Hollywood Showcase Announcer
Marc McClure
Hollywood Showcase Director
Karen Praxel
Hollywood Showcase Script Supervisor
Paulie DiCocco
Hollywood Showcase Floor Manager
Bryan Cranston
Virgil "Gus" Grissom
Charlie Frye
Plate Spinner
Colin Hanks
Male Page
Elizabeth Hanks
Bored Girl in Dress Shop
Renée Lippin
Beautician
Robert Wisdom
Bobby Washington
Gina Aponte
Band Fan (uncredited)
Heather Hewitt
Sales Lady
Director, Screenplay
Tom Hanks
May 14, 2023
8
**Tom Hanks gave life and affection to this project, which easily reminds us of the golden years of rock-and-roll.**
The film is a very nice story that revolves around the world of ephemeral "rock and roll" stars. In 1964, a group of youngsters from Pennsylvania suddenly emerge from obscurity when their garage band, the Wonders, achieve fame and success on the back of a single song, "That Thing You Do". Believing in a potential that might not exist, the scouts of the music world waste no time and the boys get a contract with a major label, which is waiting expectantly for equally good songs. However, sudden fame will test the strength of the group, the maturity and responsibility of that guys and their ability to resist the temptations that money and notoriety always make possible.
Tom Hanks is more than a protagonist, he is the engine that pulls the film and makes it possible. He had achieved fame at the expense of good comedies like “Big” or “Money Pit”, but he had his consecration in films like “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Philadelphia”, “Forrest Gump” and “Apollo 13”. In addition, he already had two Oscars on his shelf, so he had the means to leverage a project he liked, and there is no doubt that he liked this one, and it was the lever that made it go forward. And contrary to what often happens in these situations, he didn't want the lead role: it's in a reasonably more modest role that we see him, a role where he doesn't fail to stand out.
The main role is assured by the band's boys, played by Tom Everett Scott, Johnatton Schaech, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry and Giovanni Ribisi. All quite young, still at the beginning of their respective careers, all capable of relatively slick and honest work, especially Scott, who is given a little more visibility. We also have to highlight the pleasant participation of Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron.
The film is quite light, lively and cheerful, even in the most tense moments, and in which it takes paths that could make it denser, more dramatic and profound, which it always avoids. That was a conscious choice, I'm sure, and that's debatable. Where the film stands out is in its attention to historical details, in the care with which it seeks to recreate the era and environments through the choice of suitable props, good costumes and make-up, as well as a set of excellent sets. And being such a musical film, the soundtrack is unavoidable and vibrant, with songs that stay in the ear and where the main melody, created especially for the film emulating the aesthetics and taste of the time, deserves a very special highlight.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$26,000,000.00
Revenue:
$34,585,416.00