That Thing You Do!
Recounts a fable of a pop rock band formed a year after the Beatles took America by storm in early 1964. Jazz aficionado Guy Patterson, unhappily toiling in the family appliance store, is recruited into the band the Oneders (later renamed the Wonders) after regular drummer Chad breaks his arm. After Guy injects a four/four rock beat into lead singer Jimmy's ballad, the song's undeniable pop power flings the Wonders into a brief whirlwind of success, telling the tale of many American bands who attempted to grab the brass ring of rock and roll in the wake of the British Invasion.
Working with a moderate budget of $26.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $34.6M in global revenue (+33% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
That Thing You Do! (1996) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Tom Hanks's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Guy Patterson works in his father's appliance store in Erie, Pennsylvania, 1964. He sells appliances by day and dreams of being a jazz drummer, practicing on display models. His life is ordinary, pleasant, but unfulfilled.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The band desperately needs a drummer for a big talent show that weekend. Guy is asked to fill in temporarily. He accepts, excited for the opportunity to play with a real band. His mundane appliance-store life is suddenly interrupted by possibility.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to At the Mercyhurst talent show, Guy makes an active choice: he speeds up "That Thing You Do," transforming it from a ballad into an upbeat rock song. This irreversible decision changes everything - the crowd goes wild, and the band becomes an overnight local sensation. Guy commits to the new world., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: "That Thing You Do" hits #1 on the Billboard charts. The band appears on national television. They've achieved what they set out to do - they're famous. But the stakes are raised: Mr. White warns them this is when the real work begins. The band members start showing their true colors under pressure., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 80 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The band breaks up. During a recording session, Jimmy has a meltdown, smashes his guitar, and quits the band, ending The Wonders. The dream dies. Guy's girlfriend Tina reveals she's engaged to her dentist. Everything Guy has worked for over the past months disintegrates in minutes. Death of the band, death of the relationship, death of the dream., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Mr. White offers Guy a job at Play-Tone Records and encourages him to pursue his real passion: jazz. Guy realizes he doesn't need The Wonders or fame - he needs to be true to himself. He also understands that Faye represents what was real and good about the entire experience. He gains clarity about what truly matters., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
That Thing You Do!'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping That Thing You Do! against these established plot points, we can identify how Tom Hanks utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish That Thing You Do! within the comedy genre.
Tom Hanks's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Tom Hanks films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. That Thing You Do! exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tom Hanks filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tom Hanks analyses, see Larry Crowne.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Guy Patterson works in his father's appliance store in Erie, Pennsylvania, 1964. He sells appliances by day and dreams of being a jazz drummer, practicing on display models. His life is ordinary, pleasant, but unfulfilled.
Theme
Guy's father tells him about the appliance business and staying grounded: "It's important to have something to fall back on." The theme of balancing dreams with reality, and what success really means, is introduced early.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to 1964 Erie, PA. We meet Jimmy Mattingly's band (lead guitar/songwriter), Lenny the guitarist, and the bass player. Guy has a girlfriend, Tina. The local band scene is established. Jimmy is serious about his music and dating Faye. The band's regular drummer breaks his arm.
Disruption
The band desperately needs a drummer for a big talent show that weekend. Guy is asked to fill in temporarily. He accepts, excited for the opportunity to play with a real band. His mundane appliance-store life is suddenly interrupted by possibility.
Resistance
Guy joins rehearsals and learns Jimmy's original song "That Thing You Do." The band debates whether they're ready for the talent show. They pick a band name: The Oneders (later The Wonders). Guy suggests they need matching outfits. Preparation and bonding before the performance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
At the Mercyhurst talent show, Guy makes an active choice: he speeds up "That Thing You Do," transforming it from a ballad into an upbeat rock song. This irreversible decision changes everything - the crowd goes wild, and the band becomes an overnight local sensation. Guy commits to the new world.
Mirror World
Faye becomes more prominent in Guy's awareness. She's the one who believes in the magic of what they're creating, contrasting with Jimmy's seriousness and Tina's disinterest. Faye represents authenticity and genuine connection - the thematic counterpoint to fame and success.
Premise
The fun of being in a rising band. The Wonders play radio stations, state fairs, local venues. They get a manager (Phil Horace), sign with a record label (Play-Tone Records), and meet Mr. White. The song becomes a regional hit. Montage of success: TV appearances, screaming fans, recording sessions. They travel to Hollywood. This is the promise of the premise - the excitement of making it in the music business.
Midpoint
False victory: "That Thing You Do" hits #1 on the Billboard charts. The band appears on national television. They've achieved what they set out to do - they're famous. But the stakes are raised: Mr. White warns them this is when the real work begins. The band members start showing their true colors under pressure.
Opposition
Cracks appear. Jimmy becomes increasingly difficult and self-absorbed, alienating Faye. The bass player (TB Player) quits to join the Marines. Lenny gets distracted by Hollywood. Tina cheats on Guy with her dentist. The demands of fame expose everyone's flaws. Guy realizes his girlfriend never cared about his dreams. Jimmy refuses to let the band play other songs, only his compositions.
Collapse
The band breaks up. During a recording session, Jimmy has a meltdown, smashes his guitar, and quits the band, ending The Wonders. The dream dies. Guy's girlfriend Tina reveals she's engaged to her dentist. Everything Guy has worked for over the past months disintegrates in minutes. Death of the band, death of the relationship, death of the dream.
Crisis
Guy wanders Hollywood alone, processing the loss. He sits in despair, uncertain of his future. The other band members scatter. Guy confronts what matters: Was it about fame, or about the music and the people? He realizes Faye has also been abandoned by Jimmy, who left for his solo career without her.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mr. White offers Guy a job at Play-Tone Records and encourages him to pursue his real passion: jazz. Guy realizes he doesn't need The Wonders or fame - he needs to be true to himself. He also understands that Faye represents what was real and good about the entire experience. He gains clarity about what truly matters.
Synthesis
Guy acts on his realizations. He goes to find Faye before she leaves Hollywood. They confess their feelings for each other. Guy accepts Mr. White's offer and begins working in the music industry on his own terms, pursuing jazz. The finale resolves the relationships and shows Guy choosing authenticity over fame.
Transformation
Closing image mirrors the opening: Guy is back behind a drum kit, but now he's playing jazz in a studio session, doing what he always wanted. He's with Faye, who believes in him. Unlike the opening where he was trapped in the appliance store, he's now living his authentic dream. Success redefined: not fame, but fulfillment.