Awkward

African American men called in the draft from El Dorado, Arkansas. 5/27/1918

Series: American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, 1860 - 1952

Uncover more World War I Centennial Resources at the National Archives

Ah, so young. 

You see, when I was a youth Tom Hanks was seen very differently. He was that cross-dressing guy. Eventually he did Splash and The Money Pit and he was that Generic Comedy Movie Guy. You liked him, but unless his movies were on cable you kinda forgot about him. Then he did Big and everybody flinched for a moment. It was a special movie and there were signs there was more to Tom Hanks than meets the eye. But then he did Turner & Hooch and everybody went back to seeing Tom as that Generic Comedy Movie Guy. 

He was like cotton candy. Sweet, enjoyable, but not a lot of substance. Empty calories from an occasional treat. 

Then there was Joe vs the Volcano. I actually went to see this in the theater. 

It was… somethin’. 

Some people were ready to put Tom out to pasture. His relevance as a comedy star was fading. His leading man abilities came into question. Tom was always very humble so he was like, “No big deal. I’ll be a character actor. I’ll just do supporting roles.” 

So he did A League of Their Own. He said, “There’s no crying in baseball!” and stole the movie. People changed their damn minds again. “He should be the star of a movie!” And I was like, “He was! …a bunch of times!” 

In comes Sleepless in Seattle. For better or worse, he helped birth a new age of Romantic Comedies. Mothers everywhere thought he was adorable. He was a bonafide star again and could call his own shots. But I’m not sure Tom really wanted to be Romantic Comedy Guy after being Generic Comedy Movie Guy. 

So he went a different direction. Thus began… After Tom Hanks. 

Tom’s next film was not a comedy. Not even a little bit. He played a gay man. Who had AIDs. And was dying. While fighting off homophobes with The Law. And his costar was dramatic heavyweight Denzel Washington. Tom was so committed that he lost a ton of weight to look sick. It was a heartbreaking movie with a beautiful performance.  

Before Philidelphia was released people were a bit confused. They were like, “Huh? Tom Hanks? He’s that cross dressing, mermaid loving, comedy guy who did a buddy cop movie with a dog named Hooch. What’s going on here?” 

And then the movie came out and pretty much everyone who saw it was like, “Holy shit. Where did that come from?” 

It turns out Tom Hanks could act. I mean, he could act. For the longest time people saw his goofy face and curly hair and didn’t really test his range. He didn’t belong in a movie fighting a volcano. People had been selling him short for years. But he never complained. He was always just happy to be working. He just waited patiently and when he saw a shot, he took it. 

Tom went off to the races. Forest Gump confirmed it. It wasn’t luck. Tom could definitely act like the dickens. Then came Apollo 13. Houston we have an actor. 

He did Toy Story and was like, “How about I kick start a revolutionary new form or movie-making?” DONE. 

Then he was like, “I want to be an action hero, but with feeeelings.” Saving Private Ryan. DONE. 

Then he was like, “Those romantic comedy moms were so nice to me and kinda saved my career.” You’ve Got Mail. THANKS MOMS. DONE. 

Then Tom got a little crazy. “What if it really hurt when I have to pee?” The Green Mile. DONE. 

“I want to act, but I am sick of other people.” Cast Away. DONE. 

“I should throw that Leo DiCaprio kid a bone.” Catch Me If You Can. DONE.

[Leo powers up.]

“Accents are fun.” The Terminal. DONE. 

“Okay, what if I test out this motion capture technology that isn’t quite ready and demonstrate the greatest example of what the Uncanny Valley is?” The Polar Express. CREEPILY DONE. 

“I want… MONEY. Make it rain!” The Da Vinci Code. DONE. FRANCHISE INITIATED. 

“Let’s get weird.” Cloud Atlas. CONFUSINGLY DONE. 

“Maybe I should go back to just acting good and stuff.” Captain Phillips. DONE. 

“I enjoyed being a captain and acting good.” Sully. DONE. 

At this point, Tom had DONE it all. But I think a new challenge lies ahead.

Hollywood had a dilemma. Mr. Rogers was the purest being to ever grace this planet. Who is the least scummy person in the industry? 

Tom Fucking Hanks. 

Ack, sorry Mr. Rogers. That was uncalled for. 

Tom Hecking Hanks.

And that brings us to today. Tom Hanks is going to be Mr. Rogers and I really hope it’s amazing because Fred deserves nothing less. And I think he wold approve of Tom telling his story. 

I’m not sure I’ve seen another story quite like Tom Hanks. He was so close to becoming a forgotten Generic Comedy Actor Guy. He could have easily become one of those people discussed on “I Love the 80s” where the talking heads are like, “Whatever happened to that guy?” 

I’m very glad that didn’t happen. Tom seems like a genuinely good guy. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a story where someone was like, “That Tom Hanks is a real douche.” He still seems to be madly in love with his wife. They’ve been together for 30 years! I wonder if that is some kind of Hollywood record. He’s a good father. A good friend. A great spokesman for WWII vets. And he is always willing to make a fan’s wedding memorable. 

He just inspires me to keep trying to be a better me. He inspires me to be a sustainable better me. 

And for that I’d like to say…

—

Jesamyn Ward on the best piece of writer’s advice she has received (x)

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