MovieChat Forums > That Thing You Do! (1996) Discussion > Explain why people like this movie so mu...

Explain why people like this movie so much

posted 12 years ago by dlee7283
19 replies | jump to latest

Seems like on this board people are really into watching this movie a million times from the threads I have read....

I saw it when it came out in theaters and though it was an "ok" movie, saw it again on Netflix and had the same exact reaction. I didn't see anything super special about it except it being a light hearted movie about one hit wonder type bands. I liked the Shades character but everything else is this movie was sorta cliche and not funny.

Am I missing something about this movie that gives it a cult like status?

[–] rick-586 12 years ago

I'm not sure... but frankly it's kind of refreshing to check out the discussion board for a movie I like and find a little positivity... so many boards are overwhelmed by hate posts - it gets depressing.

Speaking for just myself... I'm not a necessarily a zealot - but I think it's a fun light entertainment... the romance between Guy and Faye is cute, the title song is catchy, you've got a young Charlize Theron to oggle, and everything Steve Zahn does in this is hilarious (to me, anyway).

[–] rdpepper 12 years ago

It's a cute entertaining feel good movie. The song isn't bad and it's funny at times especially Steven Zahn. Not all movies have to have a deep meaning, some are just for fun.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] rdpepper 12 years ago

I love that scene, it does make you happy to watch it.

I loved Tom Hanks with the "did I tell you you look great in ___________?"

[–] schwapj 10 years ago

Kind of a dead thread bump, but:

In a little nod to the craft of filmmaking, that scene is also great because of the way the camera stays on the mailbox when Liv Tyler leaves, and then captures her excitement when she comes back into the frame.

[–] KatrinaW 12 years ago

Frankly, I have to stop and watch this movie every time it's on TV, and I own the DVD.

I just have a soft spot for this movie. It takes place the summer of the year I was born (1964). It just has a great look about it. I love the style and the costumes (that don't look costume-y at all). I love all of the characters (except Jimmy, of course), and want to root for them.

Guy is such a dork, but he's sweet and fun and cute and makes great faces when he's drumming. I love his relationship with Faye. He really takes care of her.

Lenny is hilarious; I swear Steve Zahn must have ad-libbed his way through this movie. He steals almost every scene he's in.

The (unnamed) Bass Player is such a cutie! He's just so, I dunno, polite. I love how he wipes his feet before he enters Patterson's store, even though he's all excited because he's hearing their song on the radio for the first time.

And even though I don't like Jimmy's character, he does the whole jerky "artist" thing very well.

It's hard to say what exactly I love about this movie, except that it has a thousand little parts that all come together perfectly.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] mstessens 12 years ago

Apart from everything that has been said on this thread, I also love the way they depict the success of the band, how fast everything was for them, the money, the popularity, and how, in the same way, it all went away. I think this happens to so many bands and actors/actresses, etc. That's way i love the end when it tells you what happened to the band members, because so many times you listen to a song, for example and think: "What happened to this guy?"

[–] artistathome 12 years ago

If you were anywhere from 10-19 during 1963-66 you will love this movie. This is before the Beatles made it big here, and before the British invasion of bands.

I rememember so many singers and bands from that time period, The Beach Boys, Del Shannon, The Supremes and so many more girl singers and garage bands.
It is a feel good movie cuz it takes me back to then.

Plus the song is catchy and Tom Hanks is so funny. I especially like the dopey kid who was the "unamed Bass player" who joined the Marines. And Guy was great, too, a young Tom Hanks.

There is nothing to dislike here, I am glad everyone is being positive.

[–] oregon-5 12 years ago

I disagree with artistarest a little bit. There are 2 obvious references to The Beatles: the quick morning radio appearance ("Hi") and the montage where That Thing You Do is racing up the charts. Which spoofs A Hard Day's Night.

The Director's Cut DVD explains more about the movie-making process. Alot of the pickup shots with Lenny (Steve Zahn) were shot as impov. Tom Hanks would need some filler and just went with what he could use at the time. The game of Fish is one example, also the scene at the end of the night at Villapiano's with the owner (Presidential flash cards) is another of doing multiple answers and seeing what works best.

So not only is it a fun period film, love the scene at Disneyland with the Marines. But Tom Hanks as the writer and director, really knew how to get the most out of his actors. And that shows up on screen.

[–] nerevar59 8 years ago

As soon as "I Want To Hold Your Hand" got played here, it was Beatlemania time. My older sister loved Paul, but my big brother hated the Beatles. He liked the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons. He said the Beatles were fags.

[–] damienoujia 12 years ago

It's hard to state exactly why I love this movie. I first discovered it on VH1's "movies that rock" and stopped to watch it EVERY time it was on. Soon, I watched the entire movie. It's one of those movies that there's hardly any scenes in there that aren't watchable. I can turn to the movie on TV and know I will enjoy whatever scene is on. The director's cut does add more to the movie, and it's good, but there's something about the original theatrical cut that's great as well.

And I wasn't born in the 60's. And I know people who are younger than me who like this movie. It's not just a good period piece, it's a decent movie over all. The cast gels together perfectly, I think.

[–] mikekrit62 11 years ago

I think that every teenager who ever picked up a guitar or played the drums thought about how cool it would be to play in a rock band that hits it big.

Anyone who ever had that dream gets to vicariously experience it through this movie, and it's as exciting, fun and amazing as we always imagined it would be. If you never had that dream, then this movie might not resonate as strongly with you.

[–] superlisaj 10 years ago

I know it's a great movie when in addition to loving all the characters, the song won't get out of my head. Ever. This song was robbed of an Oscar. I remember it really annoyed me at the time.

Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.