There’s so much to appreciate about Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do!, but what’s always stayed with me is the ending. I’ve added the songs to countless playlists and bopped along to them for as long as I can remember, so it’s wild to think we’ve now reached its 30th anniversary. But still, even after I rewatch and find new things to care for, it’s the ending that always gets to me, which I suppose isn’t shocking considering I now write romance novels.
That Thing You Do! is far from a rom-com, but it features one of the best first kisses of all time. It’s that very moment at the end that indicates to us that everything’s gonna be okay. The band might be falling apart; nothing’s for certain right now, but it’ll all be okay. There’s hope in that final frame, even before we get the post-credits epilogue that acts as the end of a real music documentary. It’s the kiss between Tom Everett Scott’s Guy Patterson and Liv Tyler’s Faye Dolan that always feels like a thousand butterflies. (Tyler really is two-for-two with some of the moments in film because I can’t not acknowledge Arwen and Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings.) All of this to say, this final beat still stands out beautifully and contributes to making That Thing You Do! one of the best things from the ’90s.
There’s a moment in my own book, A Certain Step, where a character is asked what their dream Broadway musical would be, and fictional actor Ethan Everett says, That Thing You Do! And ultimately it’s because the movie feels so foundational to the world of music that it’s shocking we don’t yet have more of it. (Though I’ll happily try to manifest it as much as possible.) Because in any other movie, a single track being repeated as much would’ve gotten tiring, but here, it’s incredibly charming. It works because the repetition pushes the narrative forward, and achieving that also helps make the pacing thrilling.
Simultaneously, it helps that each of the actors alongside Scott and Tyler bring their A-game. Hanks is perfect both behind the camera and in front of it. Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech, Ethan Embry, Charlize Theron, and the whole cast each deliver something so distinct to their characters that it allows every live performance to feel different, even when we’re listening to the same song.
Some parts of the movie are dated, yes, but none of it is something that tarnishes the story in any way. In fact, it feels like those flaws are necessary to emphasize just how dramatic things were back in the day. How the lack of communication often leads to relationships falling apart. How an ego is every person’s worst enemy. How men can sometimes be so petty, it’s ridiculous. (Looking at you, Jimmy.) But after three decades, it’s still the kind of joyride that we don’t have nearly enough of today.
Fictional bands and musicians are some of the most enjoyable characters to live vicariously through, and the best thing we’ve had since was the now tragically canceled Julie and the Phantoms. Overall, though, if you’ve never seen it, it delivers a joyous bop from start to finish with fleshed-out characters that each contribute to the story remaining memorable.
I said this about When Harry Met Sally recently, but part of the charm in some of the classics is now is that we got substantial character depth in the short amount of time. We got to know them in ways that not only leave an impression, but are admirable. And that’s a rarity these days when even a lengthier film fails to deliver layered people.
We don’t always have to relate to characters for them to be good, but we have to be able to understand them fully, and in That Thing We Do!, so much is laid bare for us. It’s ultimately why even a short romance feels so incredibly believable that we can accept that they’ll live happily ever after. Because every frame is full of significant looks to signal what’s happening in the silence. In other words, it was a gem in the ’90s, and it’s a gem today, without question.