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The 1995 movie shoot Tom Hanks called “the most severe test” of his entire career
In 1995, at the height of his success, Tom Hanks took on acting, producing, writing and directing duties for That Thing You Do!. He described making the modestly budgeted musical comedy as “the most severe test” of his resources because he was attempting three of those roles for the first time, while managing an unusually large production.
The film, inspired by Hanks’s love of The Beatles, followed a one-hit rock band and had a $26 million budget, thousands of people in some scenes and an extensive shooting schedule. Although it received strong reviews and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, it performed poorly at the box office; Hanks nevertheless continued to value the film personally.
In short
- Hanks’s first directing and screenwriting project tested him severely.
- The $26 million film featured an ambitious, large-scale production.
- Despite acclaim, it flopped commercially.
Explained simply
Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's most successful actors. In 1995, at the height of his career, he directed, produced and wrote That Thing You Do!, a musical comedy, whilst also acting in it, though he had not worked in three of those capacities before.
The film was inspired by Hanks's love of The Beatles and told the story of a rock band that achieved one major hit. With a $26 million budget, thousands of extras in some scenes and an extensive shooting schedule, it was an ambitious undertaking for someone juggling multiple creative roles.
The film received strong reviews and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, though it performed poorly at the box office. Hanks has continued to value the film personally, viewing his experience making it as a significant creative endeavour.