Nearly three decades have passed since Tom Hanks made his mark as both a screenwriter and director with the film *That Thing You Do!* Released in 1996, this charming story about a fictional 1960s boy band showcases Hanks in the role of a music manager guiding the group to stardom. As time has progressed, Hanks has developed a fondness for the film’s cult status while also acknowledging the mixed reviews it initially received. His reflections on the evolving perception of the film reveal the complexities that accompany artistic creation and public reception.
Facing the Critics
During a recent appearance on the podcast *Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend*, Hanks candidly expressed the highs and lows that come with being on the receiving end of critical evaluations. Rather humorously, he shared his experience of dealing with a fluctuating critical landscape, saying, “Then the critics weigh in,” encapsulating the unpredictable nature of film reception. The anecdote he shared about the harshness of reviewers highlights the often unkind and inconsistent judgments artists face. Hanks even jokingly suggested that sometimes, critics’ words can cut deep, prompting exaggerated reactions, such as wanting to “hide a revolver” after receiving harsh comments.
The Passage of Time and Its Influence
One of the most interesting points Hanks made was about the passage of time and its ability to recalibrate public opinion. He further elaborated that what might have been considered a failure or an underachieving film can transform into a beloved classic over the years. Hanks asserted, “…none of that stuff matters anymore,” indicating that the ephemeral nature of box office performance and critical review does not define a film’s ultimate worth. What resonates with audiences over the years can shift dramatically, separating lasting artistry from fleeting success.
Hanks pointed out the irony in critics who originally dismissed *That Thing You Do!* only to later acclaim it as a ‘cult classic’ after a two-decade interval. This reappraisal exemplifies the fickle nature of film criticism and the enduring power of nostalgia. Hanks’s bemused acknowledgment of this shift underlines a fundamental truth about artistic expression; oftentimes, it takes a significant amount of time for the nuances of a work to reveal themselves, inviting viewers to approach it from a different perspective.
The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, and Johnathon Schaech, alongside memorable cameos by Hanks’s family. The title song, a catchy pop tune, was even nominated for prestigious awards like the Oscars and Golden Globes, further cementing its legacy within Oscar lore. This musical component played a crucial role in the film’s success, contributing to its infectious charm that resonates with audiences to this day.
Tom Hanks’s reflections remind us that art is subject to the whims of time and taste. As we embrace *That Thing You Do!* anew, it serves not only as a reminder of Hanks’s multifaceted talent but also as a testament to the inevitable evolution of artistic legacy—what may falter initially can rise to charm and inspire in unexpected ways.
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