Over the years, Tom Hanks has established a unique stature in Hollywood as a warm and congenial person. However, his wide spectrum of roles, including playing devious characters, contradicts his real-life persona. Hanks himself humbly demurs at the title, suggesting that he may not be deserving of it. During an interview held in 2023 for his first published book ‘The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece’, where he reveals backstage drama involving an haughty actor, he opens up about contributing to a stressful atmosphere.
Yet, Hanks’ ability to seamlessly transform into any character is commendable. His long, successful career as an actor places him among the most dependable and profitable figures in Hollywood. Despite being well-known for portraying likable personas, he has stepped into a variety of roles. Indeed, some of his memorable performances actually tilt away from his image as America’s informal father-figure.
His 2023 role in the film ‘News of the World’ under the direction of Paul Greengrass lets him explore the character of Captain Kidd, a soldier from the confederate regime given the mission of returning a Caucasian girl to her immediate family. Throughout the film, both the characters encounter vile individuals attempting to treat the girl as a commodity.
In the 2002 hybrid film ‘Catch Me If You Can’, he reunites with esteemed director Steven Spielberg. Hanks portrays an FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, who is in hot pursuit of the elusive con artist, Frank Abagnale Jr.. Then in 2016, he brings to the screen the epoch-making emergency landing on the Hudson River by Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger in a movie directed by Clint Eastwood.
In the latter film, Hanks effectively brings out Sully’s rationale during a tense hearing, making it almost a breach of ethics to question his judgment that resulted in him saving all passengers on board. Flashing back to 1996, Hanks made his debut as a director with ‘That Thing You Do!’, a film tracing the rapid rise and fall of a fictional pop band, The Wonders. Hanks not only directed this film but also played the band’s manager, Mr. White, who plays the harsh truth-teller in the band’s story.
In the 2013 movie ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, Hanks plays the role of the iconic animator and entrepreneur Walt Disney, trying to persuade British author P. L. Travers into signing off the rights for Mary Poppins. Then, there’s his magnificent turn in a rom-com where he plays the vulnerable Sam, a widower who is nudged into expressing his emotions on air by his young son Jonah. Listening to this heartfelt broadcast is journalist Annie, who becomes deeply involved in Sam’s life story.
This radio interview scene stands as a testament to the stellar acting capabilities of the leads, both of whom depict characters unknowingly embarking on a path to discover each other. Hanks, no stranger to romantic comedy roles, proves again his talent as the attractive male lead, drawing attention with his exceptional vulnerability.
In Spielberg’s pleasantly enthralling drama of 2004, Tom embodied the character of Viktor, an overseas traveller denied entry to the US and prevented from returning home due to a sudden coup in his country. Documenting the nail-biting contest between survival and a ticking clock in ‘Apollo 13’, Hanks shines as astronaut Jim Lovell. Similarly, in the rom-com ‘You’ve Got Mail’, Hanks plays the attractive adversary-turned-secret fancy of Kathleen, delivering the climax with perfect finesse.
Revisiting the movie ‘Apollo 13’, Hanks grounds the spiritual essence of an imminent mission to the Moon in his role as astronaut Jim Lovell. Known for his phenomenal ability to get into the skin of his characters, Hanks excels as the real-life baseball manager Jimmy Dugan, making Evelyn break into tears in a public dugout with his fiery temperament.
Reflecting on Fred Rogers, known for his thoughtful exercises challenging people to sit in silence and think about their growth influencers, Hanks wore the character’s shoes to perfection. He didn’t stop at portraying human characters, venturing into the world of fantasy in the movie ‘Big’, where he plays a twelve-year-old boy trapped in an adult’s body, creating a magical scene in the famous FAO Schwarz toy store with his boss.
Lastly, ‘Philadelphia’, released in 1993 directed by Jonathan Demme, bestowed on Hanks an Academy Award. As Andy Beckett, Hanks delivers a stirring performance of a gay man diagnosed with AIDS fighting legal battle with his employers over wrongful discrimination. His co-star, Denzel Washington, adeptly played his lawyer, Joe Miller, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery overcoming his inherent homophobia.