Blog Post #3 Jake Wenstrup

A movie I recently watched, which also happens to be one of my favorite movies, is "That Thing You Do." That Thing You Do was directed by Tom Hanks, who also happens to play an influential character later inthe movie. The whole movie revolves around a local band called The Wonders, originally hailing from Erie, PA.

The band is set to play a local college talent show when their drummer breaks his arm. The Wonders recruit local drummer Guy Patterson to play their slow 60s ballad called "That Thing You Do." Due to the fact that Guy has only played the song several times before the show he ends up speeding up a ballad to rock tempo and the crowd goes wild over this new, catchy song. Even beginning at the talent show it is obvious that this movie catches the 60s era feeling that women are mostly physical specimens to be looked at and sought after, and not much else. The "Van

na White" style hostess who bends over backward to act like the needle in front of a speedometer style board showing how much the crowd loves the particular band in the talent show demonstrates the exact feelings regarding women at the time. After the concert, the band's song is put on the radio and they are discovered by the Playtone label and begins to tour around the country. It is easy to notice that one of the first aspects included to improve the group's show is the addition of female dancers in the background. Sexual attraction is obviously a key to the band being successful based on the addition of the female dancers as well as the record label's upgrade of the group's wardrobe to matching suits and ties. In the end, however, the group's lead singer does not agree with the direction that the label is taking The Wonders and the group disbands. That Thing you do provides an entertaining storyline in the 60s era that is well portrayed by a director like Tom Hanks. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone.