That Thing You Do! (2007, DVD)

Last night our local cable station ran a "Tom Hanks Marathon." This marathon consisted of Forrest Gump, Punchline (reviewed at http://www.epinions.com/content_9957904004) and That Thing You Do! It is fitting that this last film was included as it demonstrates Tom Hanks talents not only as a performer, but also as writer and director. The best word to describe this movie is inconsequential. It is light and sunny with no real message. What this movie evokes is an era when life was simpler, when the young folks of Erie Pennsylvania could concern themselves with making to and listening to music.

Set in the summer of 1964, there are references here to the phenomenon of the Beatles which had begun. Guy (Tom Everett Scott) works in his father's appliance store by day and by night stays there and plays jazz records on the store's turntables while accompanying them on the drums. His friends have started a band, and are preparing for a major talent show when their drummer busts his arm. Guy steps in, but in his nervousness about performing he picks up the tempo of a ballad and the song transforms into something new. Well, they win the talent show and end up with a paying job playing at a pizza parlor.

Their big song, "That Thing You Do," is written by Jimmy (Jonathan Schaech), the group's lead vocalist. The song is a good song, but by the time the movie is over, we're tired of it. The song is better performed as they get better at being in front of an audience, but it still is grating by the time the whole thing is over.

``That Thing You Do!'' is the familiar story of a band that has one hit and then disappears. The name of the band is The Wonders (originally One-ders), and they are one-hit wonders.

The band begins its meteoric rise and file when Mr. White, an executive from Play-Tone records, (Tom Hanks) hears them, signs them to a state fair tour, and pilots them toward Hollywood. Here they appear in a beach movie as the band in the background that is playing as Annette and Frankie dance on the beach. Next they get their big break on the movie's version of an Ed Sullivanesque show. Troubles really begin here. Jimmy has brought along Fay (Liv Tyler) on the tour and when they perform on television the words "Careful, girls--He's engaged!" flash below his picture. Jimmy, of course, is not thinking of marriage. Meanwhile, another band member has to leave for marine duty and another runs off to Vegas to get married.

It's nice to see a movie where the problems are so innocent. Bands are still more concerned with relationships and girlfriends than drugs and politics. This is a sweet, if mindless, movie and definitely worth settling in to watch with a bowl of popcorn. You might even feel nostalgic enough to put on real butter, just like in the good old days.