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Tom Hanks: Doing That Thing He Do

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (10)

Tom-Hanks-and-Julia-Roberts.jpg

Tom Hanks, who last went behind the camera with That Thing You Do! — a totally charming, totally harmless, totally watchable minor 90’s hit about a one-hit wonder — is going behind the camera again to direct Larry Crowne. Hanks is working from his own screenplay, and also starring alongside Julia Roberts in the film, which is set to start filming in April.

Details are scant so far on the movie, except that it’s about a man who is forced to reinvent himself and find a new career as he navigates the second act of his life. Sounds like the aftermath of Up in the Air.

Chances are, if That Thing You Do! is any indication, it will be forgettably charming, and though I do loathe his Dr. Langdon character, who is not at least a small fan of Tom Hanks? He’s one of the good guys and I can’t imagine a movie of his that I wouldn’t at least give the benefit of the doubt (save for The Lost Symbol). The subject material is appropriate, too, as this movie may suggest a transition in Hanks’ own life, from in front of, to behind the camera. I could definitely see Hanks as the next Ron Howard — a competent likable director who doesn’t really have much of a style of his own, but nevertheless churns out watchable features year in and year out.

The movie also reteams Hanks with Julia Roberts, who last paired in Charlie Wilson’s War (for which they were both nominated for Golden Globes). That’s a good pairing, too, since they were both 90s icons, who have fairly gracefully moved on to their middle-aged careers without putting up a lot of fuss or trying to downplay their age.

Source: Nikki Finke)









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Comments

Seriously, who *doesn't* like Tom Hanks? Just thinking about him makes me smile. And his hair on the Da Vinci movie makes me laugh.

Posted by: Bizarro Sofía at January 13, 2010 10:16 AM

and also starring alongside Julia Roberts
---
I'm out.

//mounts horse, gallops away.

Posted by: , at January 13, 2010 10:42 AM

Do have the love for Tom Hanks, especially when it comes to That Thing You Do...

You're....talking gibberish!
I like Wisconsin!

I. Am. Spartacus!

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 13, 2010 11:15 AM

Tom Hanks is dead to me until I get a sequel to Volunteers. DEAD.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at January 13, 2010 12:16 PM

I've kind of grown to like Old Horseteeth more as she's aged. She accepted the fact that she's a fairly mediocre actress with enough name recognition to get a couple of high profile gigs a year if she continues on her path of mediocrity.

Tom Hanks, on the other hand, bugs me more and more every year. The sad part is, I can't figure out why. Oh, wait, no, I know why.

Forrest Fucking Gump.

Say what you will about it being a decent film (it was), and that perhaps the backlash against it after its IMMENSE popularity is somewhat unwarranted (it also probably was), I maintain that it forever tainted him. He will now always be that guy. And I can't every stop seeing or hearing that guy, instead of whatever character he's supposed to be playing. And I liked the movie when it came out.

I don't know. I'm rambling now.

Posted by: Smokin at January 13, 2010 1:02 PM

"That Thing You Do" is one of my all-time favorites, although I'm fascinated by one-hit wonders who self-destruct upon reaching a modicum of fame. It is indeed a charming film.

I give Hanks credit on two levels: one, is that the part that he created for himself was not entirely likeable, and two, is that you never grow tired of the titled song despite the fact that it is played at least a dozen times. I think that takes some skill.

"I wonder whatever happened to the Oneders?"

Posted by: swingdude at January 13, 2010 1:37 PM

dammitjanet, That Thing You Do! is one of my favorites. I've seen it about a thousand times, which is so incredibly quotable.

Guys...Chad fell down.

Posted by: kelsy at January 13, 2010 1:38 PM

I realize I may come off as a crankypants by saying this but I loathe Tom Hanks. He has just gotten so incredibly pompous.

I agree with Smokin that my hatred of him began with Forrest Gump, but not because I can't forget the character. It was because before that truly awful film, he mainly did comedies. That is where our love for Hanks tends to come from, as he's an absolutely charming goofy everyman. But after Forrest Gump everything he did was so fucking EARNEST! The Green Mile? Cast Away? To say his acting was masturbatory would be insulting to a perfectly fine way to spend an afternoon.

All that said, I did enjoy him in Charlie Wilson's War, which I boycotted for a long time basically because he and Roberts were in it and even Philip Seymour Hoffman couldn't convince me otherwise. It was forced down my throat like broccoli but in the end I had to admit I thought it was and incredibly enjoyable movie. He's still in the doghouse with me though. Bigtime.

Posted by: rhombus at January 13, 2010 7:35 PM

rhombus,
That's a perfect handle, because you are fucking obtuse. Eat shit earnest boy.

Posted by: Jack Random at January 14, 2010 12:10 AM

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Posted by: Celia at January 14, 2010 1:40 AM