Set in Pennsylvania in the 1960’s, “That Thing You Do” is the story of four friends who dream of making it big in the music industry. Our main character is Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) a young man who works in his father’s appliance store by day and plays drums at night, listening to jazz great Del Paxton for inspiration. His friends Jimmy and Lenny are in a band and their drummer has broken his arm, and they’re short a drummer for their appearance at a talent show. They ask Guy to fill in, and he agrees, but kicks up the tempo a bit for the performance, turning their nice ballad into a rock and roll tune. They win the competition and start catching the attention of the public, and before the boys know it, they’re heading off to perform at larger venues. Soon they’re on the radio.
Fame comes suddenly. Mr. White (Tom Hanks) from Playtone Records, signs a deal with them, and they begin to tour the country. But the pressures soon get to them. Jimmy and his girlfriend Faye (Liv Tyler) discover that they aren’t on the same page, even though she’s been his biggest support through the whole process. It’s not long before Jimmy decides he can’t take the pressure of being the front of the group any more. Guy wants more freedom to play his jazz music, and little by little, the band disintegrates, leaving only one friendship intact.
I enjoyed this movie. I felt like I was really getting involved in the lives and personalities of the characters, wanted them to succeed, cheered when they did and felt sorrow when they didn’t. There is a little bit of language, and for that reason you may wish to preview it before watching it with your children, but overall I found it very entertaining and worthwhile. The acting is great and so is the music.
This film is rated PG.
Related Blogs: