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That Thing You Do! (1996)

PG  |   |  Comedy, Drama, Music  |  4 October 1996 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 47,763 users   Metascore: 71/100
Reviews: 210 user | 74 critic | 21 from Metacritic.com

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Lamarr
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Chad
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Sol Siler
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Troy Chesterfield
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Uncle Bob
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Storyline

Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy's ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion. Written by Rick Gregory <rag.apa@email.apa.org>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

band | pennsylvania | song | jazz | drummer | See All (50) »

Taglines:

In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

4 October 1996 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

¡Eso que tú haces!  »

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,208,595 (USA) (4 October 1996)

Gross:

ITL 187,396,000 (Italy) (6 June 1997)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (Director's cut)

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

On the May 12, 2015 broadcast of Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family", Jonathan Schaech recounted a story that described how he made up the "I quit" song on the spot during his audition, and it got him the job. See more »

Goofs

When Uncle Bob is recording the Wonders, the sound and the visual of the hand claps are out of sync. See more »

Quotes

Heckler: Hey, when are you gonna play "That Thing You Do!"?
Lenny: Has our fame preceded us?
Heckler: We came here to meet girls and dance, and we can't meet girls until we dance!
Lenny: All right, this seems like an opportune moment to pick it up a little. OK, here's one for the kid in the back...
See more »

Crazy Credits

Mickey Mouse is listed as "Himself" See more »

Connections

References Spartacus (1960) See more »

Soundtracks

Hollywood Showcase Theme
Written by Tom Hanks and Mike Piccirillo
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A Cathartic Release
1 January 2004 | by (Toronto,Canada) – See all my reviews

If you have ever been in a band and dreamed of getting out of the garage and onto a stage,then this movie is definitely for you! No matter when you had this dream,you'll experience all the pleasures and joys of being a musician,,,and of course all the downfalls.Yes,it is from a time that won't return,when the music business wasn't such a meat parade and had to do with eager talent.That was then and this is now. Still the characters represent the different types you'll come across,the egos, the clowns and the luck of being at the right place at the right time.At this point in time,it is also interesting to see how the cast members have gone on to other projects,the most recent being Liv Tyler in LOTR,Giovanni Ribisi in COLD MOUNTAIN,Thom Everett Scot in ER and I think that Hanks fellow has been around doing this and that.


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Dance With Me Tonight... snoochberries
Guy's Military service? katzmusik
Worst moments of Jimmy daugava
Did Guy change the tempo on purpose? tjy355
my ONLY nitpick... justbrian2005
If Chad Hadn't Fallen Down... KatrinaW
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