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That Thing You Do! Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    71

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 63

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    Although Hanks' film starts out strong, it finishes on shaky ground... A serio-comedy/fantasy whose light dramatic arc can't support the awkward and unnecessarily melodramatic ending.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Duane Byrge

    The chief wonder of this rock 'n' roll cast is Tom Everett Scott, whose easy charisma, dreamy smile and undersurface intelligence should shoot him up the acting charts like a bullet.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Thing's opening hour is fast-paced, though not fast enough to obscure the reality that "American Graffiti" and "Diner" had sharper writing and certainly more psychological depth. [04 Oct 1996, Pg.01.D]

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The movie may be inconsequential, but in some ways that's a strength. Without hauling in a lot of deep meanings, it remembers with great warmth a time and a place.

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  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    That Thing You Do! is neither overly sentimental nor overly cynical. It looks at the invention of our pop-rock mythology, and the bands that fed it until they were consumed by it, just as you'd expect Tom Hanks to: with open eyes (and a raised eyebrow).

    Read Full Review

  • See all That Thing You Do! reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 10+

Sweet, sleepy take on flash-in-the-pan '60s band.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that aside from a few curse words and some drinking, this film offers little that would offend parents. The band's manager gives them beers in the afternoon, and Guy gets drunk at a jazz bar, but pays for it the next day with a hangover. Jimmy humiliates his girlfriend in front of everyone.

  • Families can talk about how family members resolve conflicts within their prospective groups. Do you believe that "you can't keep a band (or a group of friends) together," as one of the characters says? How would you handle having a crush on one of your friend's girlfriends? You can also talk about your favorite one-hit wonders.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Not an issue

  • sex false0

    Sex: There's some talk of kissing, and one big on-screen kiss, but no hanky-panky.

  • language false3

    Language: A few mild profanities, including "a--hole," "ass," and "hell."

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some drinking. Guy gets a hangover after spending the night before drinking at a jazz club. The group's manager gives them beers in the middle of the day.

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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