Directed by: Tom Hanks
Rating: An Adam Favorite
This is most definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. It's clever. It's funny. It's got heart. It's a period piece of sorts. It's got music. It looks at the inner workings of the music business. Most importantly, it gives people a small glimpse what goes on in a band: the personality conflicts, the switching of members, the drama with girlfriends, etc. There's nothing this movie doesn't have in my opinion. Remember, this is coming from a guy that will take a good story over big-budget action any day. If action is one of the things you're looking for in a film, you're not going to find that.
From the opening sequence to the last scene, the movie makes you feel like you're in the sixties. The basic premise is simple. The Wonders are a group that rights a catchy, 60s style dance song. They get picked up by a local agent who takes them to shows that introduce them to the national agent and record label. What ensues is the rise and fall of the (literal) one-hit Wonders.
There are so many little clever things that make me love this movie. The first thing is the group dynamic. Guy Patterson (Scott) is inducted into the group when their drummer, Chad (Giovanni Ribisi), falls and breaks his arm. Guy is the laid back but intelligent member of the group. He knows what's up and how to make the right decision. Lenny Haise (Zahn) is the schmuck. He plays alright and sings OK, but he just doesn't get it and doesn't want to take anything seriously. Jimmy Mattingly (Schaech) is the serious talent of the group. He writes the songs and has deep perspective in his lyrics. According to girlfriend Faye Dolan (Tyler) late in the movie, he tested at genius levels in high school. This makes him kind of an ass. Finally, you've got T.B. Player (Embry). The fact that he doesn't even get a name in the credits or on IMDB is funny enough. He is just along for the ride filling a needed spot in the group. He tells them right after they're picked up by Play Tone that he'll be leaving for the Marines at the end of the summer. He's got other priorities should we say.
Hanks not only directed and starred in the film, he also wrote it. I think that's why it's so good. He has a love of music himself. He own Play Tone (a production company named after the ficticious one in this film) that produces movies and music. It was one of the driving forces behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 50th Anniversary Concerts. His character fits the part perfectly. He is the agent/producer in charge of The Wonders. He is the one that changes the name from the One-ders to The Wonders. The original spelling was the group's attempt at a clever alternate spelling similar to The Beatles. A slew of clever jokes come at the expense of the mispronunciation of the name.
Hanks really covered all the bases here. The little things he thought of make all the difference. Guy's relationship with his father (Holmes Osborne) and obsession with his idol, Del Paxton (Bill Cobbs) are spot on for the character. Also, his father's transformation into support of the group once they become famous is something you often see. Each of the characters have these dynamics you don't really notice until you've seen the movie a couple of times. Also, Hanks found just the right people to fill these roles. Each actor hits the nail on the head in my opinion.
I've just recently ordered a newer, extended version of the movie that was released; so, I'll be watching it again soon. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It's available on Netflix instant play, and I'm sure it can be rented from Amazon for very little. Do yourself a favor!
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