Tom Hanks takes a humorous jab at movie critics on Conan O’Brien’s podcast

Reflecting on the long journey of a movie’s reception

Tom Hanks, known for his charismatic presence and timeless performances, recently shared some candid thoughts on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. Taking listeners on a behind-the-scenes adventure, Hanks delved into the unpredictable nature of movie receptions. In his characteristic humorous style, he even referred to movie critics as “cocksuckers,” arguing that ultimately, time—not critics—determines a film’s true value.

The changing tides of “That Thing You Do!”

A prime example of Hanks’ point is his 1996 directorial debut, That Thing You Do!. Initially dismissed by critics, the film has since transformed into a beloved cult classic over the decades. Hanks explained, “All of this stuff lives. Now what has happened is that time has become one of the metrics for how these things matter, right?”

The changing perception of movies

Hanks believes that the perception of movies changes over time. He stated, “Back in the day it was just a fist fight. It was every movie you had coming out, ‘Are you going to make the playoffs or not?’ Guess what? No, kid, you ain’t going nowhere. Or, you got a shot.”

The three Rubicons of filmmaking

Hanks outlined three critical stages—or “Rubicons”—that a movie crosses.

1. Initial Love: “First of all, do you love it or not? That’s the first thing. I read this [script] and I love it.”
2. Final Product: The second Rubicon is when the movie is completely done a year and a half later. Hanks noted, “You see it for the first time, and you might like it. It doesn’t matter if it works or not. You look at it and say, ‘Hey, I think we acquitted ourselves pretty good.'”
3. Critical Reception: “Then the critics weigh in,” said Hanks, often delivering mixed reviews. “That’s Rubicon No. 3, and that’s always up or down.”

The irrelevance of initial reviews

“The box office numbers come after the critics, and then a ton of time goes by when none of that stuff matters anymore,” Hanks remarked. Indeed, the actor believes that time ultimately trumps whatever initial reactions critics may have had. “The movie just exists exactly as it is outside of loser or winner status or thumbs up, thumbs down,” he continued.

Art’s evolving relevance

Hanks also discussed how a film’s relevance can evolve over time. “A thing that was huge back then is a museum piece and doesn’t really speak to anything now,” he reflected, emphasizing that the timelessness of art can outshine initial failures.

Conan and “That Thing You Do!”

Conan O’Brien brought up That Thing You Do! during their chat, prompting Hanks to hilariously respond, “Let me tell you something about those cocksuckers who write about movies. Can I say that?” Hanks reminisced about a critic who originally panned the film, claiming, “Tom Hanks has to stop hanging around with veterans of TV, because this is just like the shot on TV and it’s not much of anything.” Fast forward a couple of decades, and the same critic praised the film’s enduring charm, noting, “All you need is 20 years between now and then, and it ends up speaking some words.”

Embracing the unpredictable journey

“But that’s the thing we all signed up for,” Hanks concluded. “That’s the carnival, that’s the contest. I got faith in that. That’s okay.”

Hanks returns with “Here”

Tom Hanks is currently promoting his latest film, Here, which reunites him with Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis and co-star Robin Wright. As always, Hanks brings a wealth of experience and insight to his roles, underscoring the unpredictable yet rewarding journey of movie-making.

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