Is “That Thing You Do!” The Most Underrated And Re-Watchable Tom Hanks Film?

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If your first thought upon clicking this link was “I’ve never actually seen that movie” then someone in your life has failed you, and you’ve failed yourself. Everyone needs to experience the mostly feel-good saga of the one-hit Oneders (later The Wonders) in their life, and then they need to experience it literally every single time it graces the general population with its presence on TV. The titular song, jamming with Del Paxton, Cap’n Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters; TTYD! is enjoyable from start to finish.

I don’t think anyone would say TTYD! should’ve cleaned up at the Oscars (although the titular song not winning the Best Original Song Oscar is a crime against humanity and I will be making my displeasure with the Academy known), there’s still not nearly enough appreciation for this flick as there should be. Yeah, Rotten Tomatoes has it at 93% (too low IMO) but you just never hear TTYD! mentioned enough when it comes to classic re-watchable movies, especially among the Tom Hanks portfolio.

Now I’m not an expert or a critic; just a concerned movie-watcher wanting a gem to get its due, especially when mentioned among its director/star’s best work. Let’s make no mistake, just because he spent the movie as a supporting actor, Hanks was the straw that stirred TTYD! onscreen. Like he showed in Catch Me If You Can he can still kill it while playing second fiddle.

It’s hard to accurately describe how pleasant and re-watchable this movie really is. Hanks has put out some powerhouses but you can argue that TTYD! lead the pack in scenes that make you smile so big that you’ve gotta wait for them. If one were to flip it on early in the movie you’re obviously waiting for the inaugural sped up version of the titular song powered by our hero Guy “Skitch” & “Shades” Patterson, and that just gets the dominoes falling.

That’ll take you to “man in a really nice camper” followed by the group’s first play on the radio (arguably the happiest scene in any movie ever), and eventually all the way to their big TV appearance. There’s not a point in this movie where you either don’t have something to look forward to or simply have a scene you’re not in the mood to see. Saving Private Ryan might be my favorite movie of all time, but sometimes I’m just not in the right place to sit on the couch and watch Wade whimper for his mother as he bleeds out in France. I’d rather just watch him break his arm hopping over a parking meter before The Oneders talent show gig.

The film’s cast of characters keeps you coming back every time a premium channel decides to grace us with its presence. Yeah, Jimmy was an asshole, but the movie needed his too-serious & overly conceited role, and I’d go to war for anyone else in the movie. Previously mentioned Guy Patterson, what else is there to say about the charisma and likability of this dude? How about future war hero T.B. Player, the fair Faye, and especially Hanks’s record company honcho Mr. White? And guys, can we talk about Lenny?

I love Steve Zahn, who in an article about an underrated movie needs to be mentioned among underrated actors. Steve Zahn is never carrying a film to victory, but damn he’s enjoyable. A key ingredient to a great lazy day might be throwing on Saving Silverman, or even Sahara, both featuring great Zahn action. When re-watching a Hanks movie one might simply lean on You’ve Got Mail to get a pleasant Zahn fix, but you’re really selling yourself short when TTYD! is right there for your viewing pleasure. Steve Zahn as a wacky guitar player who makes out with cardboard cutouts, consistently keeps the movie funny, and celebrates a national TV appearance with a shotgun Vegas wedding to a Playboy bunny? Come on, that’s unbeatable.

We’d be remiss to discuss the film without talking about The Wonders’ smash hit “That Thing You Do!” The song makes and carries the movie. Anyone who’s habitually watched TTYD! has heard this jam a million times and it still never seems to get old. From the second Guy speeds up the beat at the talent show you love hearing it each time it comes on, especially in their final performance as a band on TV. If they’d found a song that was even just average the movie doesn’t work; finding something that actually climbed the charts in ’96 and would’ve been a gold record in the ’60’s puts the film over the top.

Again, TTYD! isn’t the best Tom Hanks film. I’m in the Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, Cast Away corner of the ring in that fight. The guy has pumped out premium movies for over three decades. But, it pains me not to hear this one get put up in the Tom Hanks retired jersey rafters like Forrest Gump, Sleepless In Seattle, or the aforementioned You’ve Got Mail. I don’t want to live in a world where every person doesn’t drop what they’re doing when TTYD! hits their TV screen.

Other’s preferences may be misguided, but understood. You like the heartwarming love stories of both Hanks/Ryan combos? Yeah, those are great but give me Guy/Faye riding off into the sunset to start a music conservatory every day of the week. I love the more serious Hanks fare, but not every day can be spent watching Chuck Nolan emotionally crumble on that island or Frank Abagnale Jr. rot away in a French prison. There’s a great day for those classics, but it’s not every day. Don’t get me started on Gump; classic and quotable, but give me Guy Patterson throwing down drinks with Del Paxton over Forrest celebrating New Year’s with Lt. Dan.

If you’re still a little shaky on this being Hanks’s most re-watchable work make about 2.5 hours worth of time for yourself to watch it again this weekend. After the credits roll and you realize that you were very wrong, remember that I led you here sir, for I am Spartacus. .

Image via YouTube

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Kyle Bandujo

The artist formerly known as Crash Davis. My kid doesn't think I'm funny.

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