Catch Me If You Can (Widescreen Edition) (2002)
Front Cover Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio
Tom Hanks
Christopher Walken
Movie Details
Director Steven Spielberg
Language English
Audience Rating PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time 141 mins
Country USA
Color Color
Plot
"Catch Me If You Can" is the dramatization of the semi-true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a man who, during the 1960s, managed to con his way from woman to woman, and locale to locale. Abagnale lived his life of deceit all before the age of 20. There have been some liberties taken with the story (isn't that always the case with film?), but you get the overall picture of what his life was like at the time. It makes for an interesting, engaging movie. This will not be a deep, meaningful 2 hours you spend, watching this film, but it will be enjoyable.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenager living at home with his mother and father, living what seems to be, by all intents and purposes, a 'normal' life. Then we begin to see the layers of the family's life come apart and unravel. Frank Sr., played with subtle depth by Christopher Walken, is being hounded by the IRS. He has lost all of the family's money. Then, the mother sees fit to find her comfort elsewhere, if you know what I mean. The family falls apart. Frank Jr., unable to handle this, runs away. And thus begins the main thrust of "Catch Me If You Can".

Frank Jr.'s role model growing up was his father, who we can infer from his IRS troubles wasn't the most proper businessman on the face of the planet. Frank Jr. follows in his footsteps. He runs the gamut, from check forgery to false identities. The junior Frank criss-crosses the nation, finding a woman in every city, and prosperity at every turn (all through deceit, of course). FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played with hilarious deadpan by Tom Hanks, is constantly on Abagnale's trail, but always seems to be a step behind.

This doesn't feel like a Steven Spielberg movie and, though I hardly ever thought I'd be saying this, that is a good thing. At times, Spielberg's hand can be a tad heavy over the atmosphere of a film, and this particular tale needs to be let free to just simply tell its story. And it is. The movie flows effortlessly from scene-to-scene, plot point-to-plot point, and it's a good, smooth ride. Tom Hanks does the most perfect portrayal of a thick-rimmed glasses, stuffy personality 'suit' that you could hope for. Leonardo DiCaprio, though about ten years older than the part he plays, still looks boyishly handsome, and once again gives us a strong, confident performance. He just gets better with each role he undertakes, and he already started out as the best of his generation. Christopher Walken deserves accolades for his role as Frank Abagnale Sr. There are so many scenes where he simply simmers with complexity. One scene, in particular, filled me with so much sympathy for the character that I immediately thought 'he needs to get an Oscar nomination for this'.

"Catch Me If You Can" won't change your life. It isn't some profound piece of film such as "Schindler's List", or "Saving Private Ryan". No, Spielberg has left that behind, for the moment, and instead has given us a solid, well-structured, appealing chase film that doesn't feel like a chase film. And the opening credits are some of the most creative I've seen in a long time - a fun blend of sixties jazz and cartoon frolic. John William's score is also excellent. There isn't much to *not* recommend about this film. Most enjoyable.
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Index 11
In Collection Yes
Product Details
Format DVD
Region Region 1
Nr of Disks/Tapes 2