"I don't want any of this lover's lament crap. I want something peppy, something happy, something up-tempo. I want something snappy."
Mr. White
That Thing You Do!
1996
Tom Hanks wrote and directed this film. It was a good hearted soul affirming look into the American Band, and dreams of succeeding the Beatles legacy. A garage band strikes it big when the up beat tempo of "That Thing You Do" track.
All it takes is a little shift in the focus, and "poof" a catchy tune becomes the golden ticket for 4 men and a manager. That manager, Tom Hanks, is Mr. White. He works for Play-Tone records and leads The Wonders on an excursion through fame, exposure and fun.
Think about something for a minute. Reflect on the intrigue with The Beatles. Has the continuation of the four man dream team in song become a part of today's experience some 40 plus years later?
I remember the explosion of boy bands. N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, Boys II Men, 98 Degrees, New Edition, Menudo, and New Kids on the Block,.
The teen frenzy, sex appeal, and music gave much light and experiences to many talented young inspiring musicians and their fans. Music, up beat drum arrangements, the flashy electric guitar, and even that thing called a microphone all gave headway into finding a connection with oneself and living a dream through the chords.
Hanks had much passion in this film, it was apparent that he was taken aback by music and it spoke multitudes of appreciation through this film. The role of music/record manager Mr. White demonstrates that the manager most times sees the passion and fame of the band more than the band itself.
I mimic that admiration. Don't get me wrong, music is a talent, someone believing in you is accomplishment.
Think about your accomplishments, think about your struggles, has music shown you the way? Has the beat of a drum, or the words given you inspiration? Has it uplifted you, and made you smile?
Hanks delivered a great tale here in this film. That dreams come true, and that reality is sometimes not as far fetched as one could imagine. I am inspired to continue to find greatness, and this film demonstrated that sometimes greatest is just mixing up the beat of the drum, and listening to you fans.
Well done Hanks!!!
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Comments
Rated for reminding of this movie; I'll put it in my Netflix cue.
(Do you happen to know the movie "Grace Of My Heart?" Covers some of the same musical era and, just like "TTYD," you'd swear the songs were actually from that time, rather than having been created just for the movie.)
Rated.