One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
83. That Thing You Do! (1996) Directed By Tom Hanks
The Movie: Working at his family’s appliance store in Erie, Pennsylvania, Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) is a jazz drummer. He is asked by his friends Lenny (Steve Zahn) and Jimmy (Johnathon Schlaech) to fill in for their drummer Chad (Giovanni Ribisi) who has broken his arm. T.B. Player (Ethan Embry) rounds out the band. Guy is told they are in a talent show and they need a drummer. Guy agrees to help his friends out.
Guy arrives at Jimmy’s garage to rehearse the song, a slow-jam called “That Thing You Do!”. At the end of the rehearsal the band needs a name. Jimmy’s girlfriend, Faye (Liv Tyler) suggests “The Oneders”.
The Oneders arrive at the talent show and start to play their song, only Guy starts playing it much faster. Lenny and Jimmy attempt to have Guy slow down. He does not and they decide to play the song fast. The Oneders win the competition, Jimmy is not too happy about it.
At a local pizza parlor, The Oneders start to gain some fans who ask for a record. The boys cut their first 45 and with the help of Guy’s Uncle Bob (Chris Isaak) they start selling their record. The band also signs with Phil Horace (Chris Ellis) a talent agent who promises to get “That Thing You Do!” on the radio.
True to his word the song makes onto the radio and also secures them a spot in a rock ‘n’ roll show. They are booed off the stage when nothing goes right. In the audience however, is Mr. White (Tom Hanks) an A&R representive for Play-Tone Records. He offers to manage the band and sign them to a contract. Mr. White also changes the name to “The Wonders” due to the confusing way “The Oneders” is always mispronounced.
With the help of Mr. White, The Wonders start looking more like rock ‘n’ roll stars. They have on all the same suits, and they all wear sunglasses. The Wonders are added to Play-Tone’s tour of mostly mid-western fairs and are joined by Faye who becomes the bands wardrobe manager.
During the tour The Wonders start to garner radio play for “That Thing You Do!” and explore life outside the band. T.B. falls in love with a singer from the doo-wop band, The Chantrellines. Jimmy finds comfort in a singer named Diane (Chaille Percival). “That Thing You Do!” is flying to the top of the charts and reaches number 7 on Billboard. Mr. White sends the band to Los Angeles to capitalize on their popularity. Mr. White books The Wonders on The Hollywood Television Showcase, a variety show with a big audience. T. B. can’t be found, Guy is hungover after hanging out with his jazz idol Del Paxton (Bill Cobbs) Jimmy is so nervous he is throwing up and Lenny can’t be bothered because he has a new girlfriend.
Mr. White is able to find a bass player, Scott Pell and The Wonders pull it together and put on a good show. But it isn’t all roses. A caption under Jimmy during the broadcast reads “Careful girls, he’s engaged” and Jimmy is not pleased. Jimmy berates Faye blaming her for the caption. He tells her he will never propose to Faye. Heartbroken, Faye breaks up with him and leaves.
The rest of the band is gone too. T.B. has joined the Marine Corps and Lenny has eloped to Vegas. In the studio, Mr. White with only Guy and Jimmy insists on them playing the music given to them by Play-Tone. Jimmy refuses and quits. The Wonders are over.
Guy stays behind and plays drums, and Del Paxton walks in. Impressed with Guy’s drumming they lay down a song titled, “I Am Spartacus”.
Guy runs into Faye in the hotel and tells her he is staying in LA. Faye calls for a cab to return to Erie. Guy chases after her, kisses her and they both admit to having been in love with one another for a long time.
We learn that after The Wonders broke up, Jimmy became a record producer, Lenny is single and manages a Casino, T.B. was given a Purple Heart for his service in the Marines and Guy and Faye are still married with four kids in Washington where he teaches music at their music conservatory.
Why I Love That Thing You Do! (1996): At first the biggest draw is the catchy title song. If Tom Hanks, doubling as writer and director got that wrong then the whole project would’ve collapsed. Credit goes to Fountains Of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger for nailing the sound of 1960’s pop.
The cast are all pitch perfect. Tom Everett Scott is awesome as the drummer, Guy. His smile and charisma carry the film. Liv Tyler is wonderful as Faye. She is the true backbone of the film giving a tender and loving performance. Steve Zahn is the great comedy relief and Ethan Embry’s T.B. Player is the perfect naive.
It sounds weird to call Tom Hanks the MVP of the whole project but he is. Besides being the writer and the director, his choice to play Mr. White, a cold and calculating record executive is against type and just what the film needed. In the great director’s cut, which plays much more like a drama, the added layer to Mr. White being a gay man in the 1960’s gives the while film much more weight.
The production design, the costumes, the casting ensures “That Thing You Do!” is not a one hit wonder, but a film worth revisiting over and over again.