Review:
Supposedly completely true to life and at least based on reality, the film tells the story of conman Frank Abagnale, who impersonated an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer and all that before he was twenty-one. The film is highly entertaining with the cat and mouse game between Abagnale, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and the FBI investigator chasing him (Tom Hanks) being the central piece to the puzzle. There is no real substance to the story and no matter how much of it is true, it feels very much like a typical Hollywood fable, but it is expertly made and solid entertainment for the running time.
Random Observations:
Catch Me If You Can at the IMDb
The film tries very hard to have some actual meaning, with both Abagnale’s father (the always amazing Christopher Walken) shown as an example of where the events would lead, as well as some preachy scenes about the nature of crimes and the eventual comeuppance, but it ultimately fails in this respect. The conman’s life simply is to entertaining, at least on film.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, who really should stick to films like these instead of making “important” films like Schindler’s List, the most overrated film of all time. Sadly, people keep telling him that he is more than an entertainment director, which is a real shame because in that category he is one of the - if not the - best.
Tags: 2002, American Film, Amy Adams, based on true story, biography, Brian Howe, Catch Me If You Can, Chris Ellis, Christopher Walken, Comedy, crime movie, Drama, english, Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank John Hughes, James Brolin, Jeff Nathanson, Jennifer Garner, John Finn, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, minute movie review, movie review, Movies, Nathalie Baye, Schindler's List, Stan Redding, Steve Eastin, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, true story