Why Tom Hanks Needs to Return to Comedy: A Nostalgic Look at His Early Career

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One delight I find in my Netflix membership is the abundance of timeless films to delve into, and recently, I was seeking a light-hearted comedy to cheer me up. The film that caught my eye along with my companion was 1986’s “The Money Pit”. I recall enjoying many laughs from it in my younger years, and let me tell you, it still managed to tickle my funny bone, almost 40 years post its release. Additionally, watching it sparked thoughts about Tom Hanks’ career as a whole.

It’s quite astonishing to ponder over the numerous films Tom Hanks has starred in throughout his 45-year acting journey. With the 68-year-old set to appear in Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, “The Phoenician Scheme,” and expected to reprise Woody for “Toy Story 5” next year, I’d like to express my anticipation for the Academy Award winner to revisit his comedy phase.

I Rewatched The Money Pit On Netflix, And I Had The Best Time

Let’s step back for a moment and discuss my latest cinematic endeavor, “The Money Pit”. This comedy was one of Tom Hanks’ early films following his success in “Splash”. The plot revolves around a young duo, Walter and Anna, who impulsively purchase a fixer-upper mansion at an unbelievable price. However, their joy is short-lived as the house seems to have a never-ending list of issues – from the staircase collapsing to a turkey accidentally flying through a window due to an oven that doesn’t work properly. Throughout the film, Tom Hanks delivers non-stop laughter with his physical comedy and high-energy performance that is hard not to be captivated by.

In general, Tom Hanks isn’t someone I typically associate with comedy, given his versatility, but “The Money Pit” brought back memories of his hilarious performances in that genre. It had been quite a while since I’ve laughed so hard during a film, and the moment the bathtub fell through the floor after numerous repairs, followed by Walter’s hysterical laughter at the absurd hole, left me in stitches. That small action, coupled with his infectious laughter, was simply priceless. It’s evident that the actor meticulously crafted those laughs to make them as funny as possible, and I was close to rolling on the floor after sharing his rollercoaster of emotions. Here’s the scene for your viewing pleasure:

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Time and again, I’ve watched that film, and each viewing never fails to leave me in stitches once more, even when the climax is clearly on the horizon.

It Made Me Think About How Tom Hanks’ Early Career Was All Comedies

Previously in Tom Hanks’ illustrious career, comedies like “Big”, “The ‘Burbs”, and “Joe Versus The Volcano” were followed by more dramatic roles such as “Philadelphia”, “Apollo 13”, and “Saving Private Ryan”. However, these dramatic roles often overshadow films like “The Money Pit”, which despite not being considered among his best works, offers a unique comedic charm. After revisiting “The Money Pit”, I appreciate its humor more, regardless of whether it can’t compete with the grandeur of “Cast Away” or “Sully”. It met all my expectations for an enjoyable movie on the night I watched it, and I believe we should acknowledge this aspect of his career more.

Apart from “The Money Pit,” several of Tom Hanks’ movies from the ’80s are not just well-aged, they’re often overlooked. There’s a wealth of funny lines in them that never fail to make me laugh. By the way, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched “You’ve Got Mail,” even though it came out in 1998 – it feels like a return to form for him. Tom Hanks is such an engaging leading man in romantic comedies, and I wish we had more of those from recent years featuring him.

I Love Tom Hanks’ Dramatic Work, But It’s His Comedic Chops That Make Them Better

In essence, the adoration for Hanks’ comedy period might have been crucial in filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis entrusting him with significant roles throughout his career. I strongly believe Hanks excels in various genres due to his proficiency in comedy at an early stage. For instance, consider the movie Cast Away, which is primarily dramatic as it revolves around a character stranded on an island and potentially facing death alone there. However, Hanks enhances its quality by incorporating his comedic talent, depicting how one might cope humorously in such survival circumstances.

Despite the fact that some time has passed since Tom Hanks last starred in a comedy, it seems essential to remind people of his comedic background, as this aspect plays a significant role in making him the talented actor he is today.

Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About How Much I Want Another Tom Hanks Comedy

Currently, there’s a scarcity of comedy films, which I believe is an issue worth addressing. It seems rare nowadays for productions to focus on providing laughter and momentary escape from daily stresses. These kinds of movies, which later become comfort films we revisit often, are not being made as frequently as before. On occasions when I yearn for a bit of light entertainment on my screen, I often find myself resorting to films from the ’80s, ’90s, or early ’00s to recapture that desired sensation. It appears I’m not alone in this predicament.

Absolutely, our current times significantly influence this situation. Nowadays, it’s rare for people to go out to cinemas to watch straight comedies. However, if Tom Hanks, a renowned actor with an impressive box office record, were to return to comedy films, I believe it could generate quite a buzz among many moviegoers. Under the right conditions, I am optimistic about this possibility for Hanks’ career.

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2025-05-26 16:09