That Thing You Do! – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

That Thing You Do!

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1996

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Hanks' love letter to one-hit wonders is sweet, catchy, and about as controversial as a milkshake—but will modern kids sit through it?

7/10

93%

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That Thing You Do!

movie

PG, 1996

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Hanks' love letter to one-hit wonders is sweet, catchy, and about as controversial as a milkshake—but will modern kids sit through it?

93%

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7/10

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

That Thing You Do! is a genuinely charming, well-crafted film that earned its 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's wholesome without being preachy, nostalgic without being cloying, and the music is legitimately great.

The catch? It's nearly 30 years old and feels it. The pacing is leisurely, the conflict is low-stakes, and kids accustomed to high-octane Marvel or Pixar may struggle to stay engaged. This isn't a criticism of the film—it's a lovely period piece—but modern watchability matters when you're trying to get a 10-year-old to sit still for two hours.

Best for families with tweens/teens who already love music, appreciate slower storytelling, or are curious about the 1960s. If your kid devours biopics or enjoys character-driven dramas, this is a safe, enriching pick. If they need constant action and jokes, maybe save this for a rainy afternoon when they're feeling patient.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 10+, which feels right. Younger kids might find the pacing slow and the 1960s setting unfamiliar. Tweens and teens who appreciate music, nostalgia, or character-driven stories will get the most out of it. Adults will enjoy the period details and Tom Hanks' earnest direction.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Tom Hanks' directorial debut is earnest, upbeat, and fundamentally kind. The band's rise-and-fall arc shows friendship, ambition, and the cost of fame without cynicism. Characters treat each other decently even when relationships strain. A few mild curse words appear but nothing harsh. The 1960s setting provides a wholesome nostalgia without being preachy.

Imaginative

The film captures the infectious energy of creating music and the dream of making it big. The original song 'That Thing You Do!' is genuinely catchy and central to the story. However, it's more a well-executed period piece than groundbreaking storytelling—the rise-and-fall band arc is familiar territory. The 1964 setting is lovingly recreated with costumes, sets, and cultural details that transport viewers, but it doesn't invite much creative participation or novel thinking.

Safe

Rated PG with minimal content concerns. IMDb and Common Sense Media confirm: no violence (one comedic broken arm scene), no sex or nudity, a few mild profanities, some period-appropriate smoking and drinking. One parent review warns the extended cut has a brief make-out scene in the opening. The theatrical version is exceptionally clean. No jump scares, no disturbing themes, no content that would blindside a family movie night.

Enriching

Offers a window into the music industry's star-making machinery of the 1960s and the fleeting nature of fame. Shows how creative partnerships can fracture under pressure and how success doesn't guarantee happiness. The period details are historically grounded. Characters face real consequences for their choices. That said, it's primarily entertainment—a feel-good story with a great soundtrack rather than deep philosophical territory. Still, there's genuine emotional growth and lessons about integrity, relationships, and what matters beyond the spotlight.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely wholesome without being saccharine—models friendship, ambition, and integrity in the face of fame
The title song is an earworm that'll have your family humming for days (sorry not sorry)
A time capsule of 1960s pop culture with authentic costumes, sets, and period details that make history feel alive
Tom Hanks directed this with real affection for the era and the characters—it shows in every frame
Teaches real lessons about the music industry, fleeting success, and what happens when creative partnerships hit friction

⚠

What to Watch For

A few mild curse words and period-appropriate smoking/drinking—nothing shocking but worth a heads-up for sensitive families
The extended cut has a brief make-out scene at the start; stick with the theatrical version for younger viewers
Pacing is decidedly 1990s—slower, more character-driven. Kids raised on Marvel may get restless
The ending has some melancholy as the band breaks up and relationships fray, though it resolves hopefully

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you suddenly became famous overnight? How do you think it would change your friendships?"
"The band only had one hit song. Do you think that still counts as success, or would it feel disappointing?"
"Why do you think Guy (the drummer) stayed so positive while the lead singer got more difficult? What does that say about their personalities?"
"If you could be in a band, what instrument would you play and what kind of music would you make?"

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