Catch Me If You Can (2002)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers (WGA):

Jeff Nathanson (screenplay)
Frank Abagnale Jr. (book) ...

Release Date:

25 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The true story of a real fake.

Plot:

A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.

Plot Keywords:

Divorced Parents | Poignant | Teenage Boy | Teen Angst | Vomiting

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Frank Abagnale Jr.
Tom Hanks	...	Carl Hanratty
Christopher Walken	...	Frank Abagnale
Martin Sheen	...	Roger Strong
Nathalie Baye	...	Paula Abagnale
Amy Adams	...	Brenda Strong
James Brolin	...	Jack Barnes
Brian Howe	...	Earl Amdursky
Frank John Hughes	...	Tom Fox
Steve Eastin	...	Paul Morgan
Chris Ellis	...	Special Agent Witkins
John Finn	...	Assistant Director Marsh
Jennifer Garner	...	Cheryl Ann
Nancy Lenehan	...	Carol Strong
Ellen Pompeo	...	Marci

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief language.

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:7 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Bern) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39409) | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

3077 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

Director Trademark: [Steven Spielberg] [music]score by John Williams

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During one of the Christmas telephone conversations between Frank and Carl, Frank's phone has a modular telephone jack connection. Modular telephone jacks did not exist at the time.

Quotes:

Frank Abagnale Sr.: Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 'Catch Me If You Can': In Closing (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

I Can't Give You Anything But Love

I haven't read the book just yet - I definitely will now!

This was an entertaining and fun piece of film making from the ever-reliable Steven Spielberg. It is a bit of a depart from his usual full-blown and hugely epic pictures, yet this does not detract at all from the fascinating story of Frank Abagnale Jr. I was interested in this man before I'd seen the movie, and it only served to increase my interest. Although it is important to remember (as with any such film) that this is only 'inspired' by a true story and not told word for word from one, the plot is fascinating and keeps you laughing, crying and wondering until the end.

Frank Abagnale Jr. is an astounding and interesting character. The real life Abagnale originally said that he did not believe Dicaprio to be 'suave' enough to play the role, but he certainly does pull it off. Dicaprio's acting is superb, and totally believable as a man who could lie to, deceive, and con everyone he met without once losing any of his charisma or charm. Hanks is also excellent, he plays the role of the obsessed FBI agent well, and also with a likable quality. The interaction between these two characters was great, it was interesting to see a budding relationship slowly build between two characters who were actually positioned against one another.

I loved the look of the film. It was a refreshing blast to see the 60s portrayed in such a vivid and colorful way. The whole setting and atmosphere of the film gave it a wonderful and almost (I hesitate to use the word) 'magical' sense. This tone appealed to me much more than a darker tone might have.

However, the film is rife with moral ambiguity. As much fun as it is to watch Dicaprio jumping from one place (and identity) to the next, forging checks and spending inordinate amounts of money at a whim, the film never really focuses on the morally bankrupt side of the story. The portion of the film devoted to this at the end still seems to skim over the fact that this man has stolen millions of dollars. It ends on a high note for Frank Abagnale Jr., never fully spelling out the wrongs he committed. Still, this would probably bring the whole film down, and sometimes it's fun just to enjoy a bit of escapism without being told off for desiring such things. I mean, it's hard to be totally strict and upright - you have to love it when Dicaprio's character swindles Jennifer Garner's prostitute for $400!

Overall, this is a fun film and really enjoyable. Not as much of an epic masterpiece as some of Spielberg's other movies, but still a great film!