You know that feeling when a movie character just feels like a warm hug? That was Liv Tyler in 1996. Before she was an Elven princess or saving the world from an asteroid, she was Faye Dolan. Honestly, if you haven’t revisited Liv Tyler in That Thing You Do! lately, you’re missing out on one of the most effortless performances of the nineties. She wasn’t just "the girlfriend." She was the moral compass of the whole story.
Tom Hanks knew what he was doing when he cast her. It’s funny because, at the time, people mostly knew her as the girl from the Aerosmith videos or the "cool girl" from Empire Records. But in this movie? She’s something else entirely. She’s luminous.
The Casting of Faye: More Than Just a Famous Last Name
When Tom Hanks started casting for his directorial debut, he wasn't looking for a "star" in the traditional sense. He needed someone who could embody the sweetness of 1964 without it feeling like a parody. Liv Tyler was only 18 when they filmed. Think about that. Most of us were barely figuring out how to do laundry at 18, and she was carrying the emotional weight of a major studio film.
Actually, the story goes that Hanks was immediately struck by her "presence." It wasn't just that she was beautiful—though, let's be real, she's Liv Tyler—it was that she had this soulful, slightly older-than-her-years quality.
She played Faye Dolan, the loyal girlfriend of the band’s ego-driven lead singer, Jimmy Mattingly. While Jimmy (played by Johnathon Schaech) was busy being "artistically misunderstood," Faye was the one making sure everyone was fed and happy. She was the band’s unofficial fifth member. Their "den mother," if you will.
Why Liv Tyler in That Thing You Do! Still Resonates
The movie is a sugar-coated dream of the sixties, but Faye’s journey is surprisingly grounded. We’ve all been there. You’re dating someone who is clearly going places, and you realize they aren't planning on taking you with them. It’s painful.
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Liv plays Faye with this quiet dignity. She doesn't scream. She doesn't make a scene. She just... observes. And then, there's that scene. You know the one. The breakup.
The "Thousands of Kisses" Moment
If you want to see a masterclass in "less is more," watch the scene where Faye finally dumps Jimmy. After he treats her like an afterthought during their big televised moment, she looks him in the eye and delivers the line:
"I have wasted thousands and thousands of kisses on you."
It’s brutal. It’s perfect. It’s the moment the audience finally gets to cheer for her. Honestly, it’s one of the best breakup lines in cinematic history. No yelling, no flying plates. Just the cold, hard realization that she’s worth more than he’s giving her.
The Chemistry with Guy Patterson
While Jimmy was busy being a jerk, the drummer, Guy "Skitch" Patterson (Tom Everett Scott), was busy falling in love with Faye. Their chemistry is the actual engine of the movie. It’s subtle. It’s in the way they look at each other in the background of scenes.
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Hanks was smart about this. He didn't force a romance. He let it simmer. By the time they finally share that kiss at the end, you’re practically shouting at the screen.
Interestingly, Tom Everett Scott almost didn't get the part because Hanks thought he looked too much like a younger version of himself. But it was Rita Wilson, Hanks' wife, who convinced him that Scott was "cute" and perfect for the role. Thank goodness she did. The dynamic between Scott’s nervous energy and Tyler’s calm grace is what makes the ending work so well.
The Style: 1964 Mod Perfection
We have to talk about the clothes. Costume designer Colleen Atwood did an incredible job, but Liv Tyler just wore those clothes. The shift dresses, the headbands, the simple makeup. She looked like she stepped right out of a 1964 issue of Seventeen magazine.
While Charlize Theron (who had a small but memorable role as Tina) was doing the "high-fashion" sixties look, Liv was doing the "girl next door" version. It made her accessible. It made her the person you wanted to be friends with.
Fact Check: Behind the Scenes
People often forget how much work went into making this "light" movie.
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- The Music: The actors actually had to learn how to play their instruments. Even though the tracks were dubbed in post-production, Hanks wanted them to look authentic. Liv Tyler didn't have to play an instrument, but she was there for the weeks of "band camp" the boys went through.
- The Script: Tom Hanks wrote the script in just 30 days while he was on a massive press tour for Forrest Gump. He was bored of talking about himself, so he created a world where he could just be "Mr. White."
- The Cameos: Look closely and you’ll see Hanks’ son, Colin, as an usher who escorts Liv Tyler to her seat. His daughter, Elizabeth, is also in the movie as a girl in a dress shop.
The Legacy of Faye Dolan
Looking back, Liv Tyler in That Thing You Do! was a turning point. It proved she wasn't just a "face." She had a vulnerability that directors would spend the next decade trying to capture.
The movie itself wasn't a massive blockbuster when it first came out. It was a modest hit. But over the last thirty years, it’s become a total cult classic. Why? Because it’s kindhearted. It doesn't have a cynical bone in its body. And at the center of all that heart is Faye.
Most "band movies" focus on the guys. The music. The fame. This movie does that, but it also asks: "What happens to the people they leave behind?" Through Faye, we get the answer. They grow up. They find someone better. They move on.
What You Can Do Now
If it’s been a while, go back and watch the extended "Director’s Cut." It adds about 40 minutes of footage, much of it involving Faye’s character development. You get a deeper sense of her loneliness in the big city and her growing bond with Guy.
- Listen to the soundtrack: It’s still one of the best original soundtracks ever. Adam Schlesinger (from the band Fountains of Wayne) wrote the title track, and it’s a legitimate earworm.
- Watch for the nuances: Pay attention to Liv Tyler’s face during the "Hollywood Television Showcase" performance. Her transition from pride to realization is heartbreaking.
- Appreciate the "Small" Moments: Notice how Faye is the one who remembers the Bass Player's name (well, the movie never actually gives him a name, he's just "T.B. Player," but she treats him like a person).
Liv Tyler’s performance as Faye Dolan remains a highlight of 90s cinema precisely because it didn't try too hard. It was simple, honest, and filled with a kind of light that you just can't fake. Whether she's screaming with joy when the song first plays on the radio or walking away from a bad relationship with her head held high, she's the one we're really rooting for.
For your next movie night, skip the heavy dramas and put this on. Sometimes you just need a reminder that even if you waste thousands of kisses on the wrong person, the right one might be sitting behind a drum kit just waiting for you to notice them.