Product Description

Tom Hanks writes, directs and co-stars in this refreshing, big-hearted comedy that captures the overnight triumph of an American rock band during the glory days of rock and roll.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2082 in DVD
• Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
• Released on: 2007-05-08
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: AC-3, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .35 pounds
• Running time: 108 minutes

Amazon.com
Tom Hanks's debut as a writer and director is a lively, affectionate account of the shooting-star career of a forgotten (fictional) '60s pop-rock band called The Wonders--as in "one-hit wonders." Hanks plays the manager of the group, which includes drummer Guy "Sticks" Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) who works the floor at his parents' appliance store in Erie, Pennsylvania; Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech), the talented and temperamental lead singer and songwriter; Lenny (Steve Zahn), the goofy guitarist; and Ethan Embry as a geeky little fellow identified in the cast list only as "The Bass Player." The movie traces their meteoric rise and fall, from cutting their first record, to going on tour with a Phil Spector/Motown-type revue, to the internal tensions that lead to the band's disintegration, which comes when they fail to follow up their smash hit single, "That Thing You Do!" And that song, by the way, is so catchy it would definitely have been a hit in 1964--and deserves to be one today. This delightful movie would make a great double-bill with Allison Anders's wonderful Grace of My Heart. --Jim Emerson

On the DVD
It should come as no surprise that Tom Hanks' extended cut of That Thing You Do! is even more entertaining than the original theatrical release. Hanks' debut as a writer-director was one of the most pleasant movie surprises of 1996, and Hanks' infectious enthusiasm for '60s pop music carried through to every aspect of this timelessly delightful production. Both versions are included on disc 1 of this two-disc set, with Hanks' extended cut running almost 40 minutes longer (147 minutes) and featuring a lot of good, fresh material that fleshes out characters, adding depth and dimension to the rise and fall of the movie's fictional 1964 pop band, the Wonders. Unlike a lot of extended cuts, this one doesn't feel extraneous or unnecessarily longer; the pacing remains brisk, both Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron get more screen time, and some new character details emerge during the Wonders' rise to short-lived success, including brief appearances by Howie Long as the sidekick (and/or boyfriend?) of the Wonders' manager (Tom Hanks), suggesting a possible parallel to the Beatles' gay manager, Brian Epstein. There's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo for Hanks' son, Colin (as an usher escorting Liv Tyler to the Wonders' big TV debut), and additional scenes to deepen "Sticks" Patterson's love of jazz. Now That Thing You Do! isn't just longer but better, with Hanks' extended cut earning its place as the definitive version of what was already a remarkably assured directorial debut.

Disc 2 includes several bonus features not found on the previously released DVD. Some of them are EPK (electronic press kit) featurettes produced to promote That Thing You Do! back in 1996, while the That Thing You Do! reunion is an all-new (2007) encounter with cast members Tom Everett Scott, Jonathan Schaech, Charlize Theron, and Ethan Embry, reminiscing about the fun they had during production while Steve Zahn ("Lenny") shares his favorite memories of the filming in a separate interview. The "Feel Alright" video is a flawlessly edited homage to pop-band promotional films of the '60s, brilliantly assembling clips from That Thing You Do (with The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night and Help! as obvious inspirations). "The Wonders--Big in Japan!" is a lively home-video diary of a That Thing You Do! promotional tour in Tokyo (where the actors actually played as "the Wonders"), and there's also a pair of informative (albeit semi-redundant) "making of" featurettes from 1996, including the same 13-minute bonus from the original DVD release, and an episode of HBO's "First Look" hosted by former MTV vee-jay Martha Quinn. "The Story of the Wonders" demonstrates how much thought and affection Hanks put into his fictional pop band's history and personnel, and disc 2 closes out with a standard sampling of TV spots and trailers. Two music videos from the original DVD (for "That Thing You Do!" and "Dance with Me Tonight") are not included here. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

A Mini-Masterpiece
Last week, I saw "That Thing You Do!" on one of the cable movie channels. I had not seen it for a while and had a couple of hours staring me down, so I sat back and watched it. The film itself is a nice piece of work by Mr. Hanks. He did himself proud. And that song! What a catchy, get-under-your-skin-in-your-brain pop tune!

Then, two days later, I was in Best Buy (humming That Thing You Do, by the way) and this new edition DVD appears before me unexpectedly, on sale. Without thinking, I bought it, took it home and I have watched it three times since (the theatrical release, once and the extended version, twice) and I will watch many times more.

This new release of That Thing You Do! underscores why "The Director's Cut" genre in DVD releases has become so invaluable to film aficionados like myself.

The theatrical version is priceless (still), but the "Director's Cut" is incredible and a major revelation. So many gaps in the plot have been filled in (gaps that I wasn't even aware of, so well put-together was the original version). This newer version has made the film a mini-masterpiece.

As in the original, the cast is excellent, the plot is believable and charming, the performances are funny, vibrant, true-to-life, and in this version, quite poignant.

Charlize Theron's character, Tina, and her relationship with Guy, in particular, suddenly become crucial elements to the early plot development (she is a minor character in the original version). Her character is fleshed-out, and she has one HYSTERICAL scene (in the dentist's chair) that caught me so off-guard with its humour, that I nearly choked to death with laughter!!

Even Tom Hanks character as the group's manager, Mr. White, becomes more developed and there is an interesting scene and dialogue when the group is in Los Angeles at "the same hotel Lucy and Ricky stayed at" between Guy (who is gently drunk), Mr. White and a guy named Lloyd.

Even The Bass Player (the Wonder's bass player who is never given a name), played by the adorable Ethan Embry, has a scene or two not in the original film that adds to the sweetness of his character (as well as some sly sexiness).

Liv Tyler's role as Jimmy's girlfriend, Faye, becomes even more developed and she is such a marvelous actress in this film. She really is the heart and soul of the movie, and the newer version only adds to her wonderful mystique in this film.

And of course, Steve Zahn as Lenny, is still as funny as ever and is the one band member who has no fear to "push the envelope" and rider the roller-coaster of success to wherever it takes them.

I recommend this new version of "That Thing You Do!" whole-heartedly. Whether it is the original or the extended-cut, it is a lively, spirited, upbeat and thoroughly delightful viewing experience.

And, I am STILL humming "That Thing You Do!"

Refreshing and charming.
This is a delightful movie, probably unlike any you've ever seen. All the characters are so well balanced and adorable, and their story is so well told that it makes you feel it's a true story about real people. It's refreshing, sweet, entertaining and charming.
A group of friends puts together a music band and they record a song. The song gets on the radio and quickly climbs the music charts, making them an overnight success. Their unexpected and speedily growing fame puts their relationships, as well as individual integrity and self-respect, to the test. Troubles arise, and with them the characters show their true natures, good and bad, making their musical career as a rock group as brief and ephemeral as lightning.
But despite the obstacles the characters face, a few good things derive from them, new relationships are formed, old ones are strengthened, and all the characters make the choices that allow them to successfully follow their dreams after having lived through a life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The score of the film is great and the songs are true to the style and the music of the sixties, which is the period in which the movie takes place. The clothing and sets are accurate and the characters are wonderfully adapted to the fads of the time. The writing, plot and dialogues are superbly well done (by Tom Hanks) and makes each and every character come alive, even those with just a few minutes of screen time. The cast is exquisitely chosen, including Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler and Tom Hanks, and their performances are natural and enjoyable.
This movie is a delight to watch time and again; each time you'll discover new details from the richly layered, yet realistic and simple personality of each character. A must-buy for anyone who likes a movie that tells a high-quality story through the eyes of interesting and refreshing characters.
--Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

A fun movie, like the old Tom Hanks films.
Apparently the very-talented Tom Hanks is even more talented that we previously knew. Hanks has shown for some time that he is the closest modern actor to the late, great Jimmy Stewart in the superb naturalness of his acting in every movie genre from comedies to drama. But with this film he shows himself also to be a talented writer and director as well. The movie chronicles the rise and dissolution of a 1960's rock band which writes and records a single top-ten hit. Personally I've always wondered why so many early rock groups were one-hit-wonders. If a band is good enough to make one hit record, why isn't it capable of making several -- or at least a few -- more? The answer presented in this movie is that the one-hit Wonders self detruct due to a combination of ego conflicts, the pressures of success, and just the vagaries of circumstance. This movie could have been a mildly entertaining quasi-documentary. Instead, as written and directed by Hanks and played by the talented young cast he assembled -- the most outstanding of whom is Tom Everett Scott and Liv Tyler (who recently played the beautiful elf Arwen in The Lord of the Rings) -- this is a fun film from beginning to end. Frankly, I'm not much of a rock fan, but I loved this film. If you haven't seen it yet, please give yourself a treat and get this DVD.