TC Candler's Review A

Clocking in at a breezy and effortless 2 hours and 20 minutes, this true story of the most successful con-man and forgery artist of all time is some of the most fun you'll have at the movies all year.

You can feel a Spielberg film. You just know one when you see one. Only a handful of select directors have had such a recognizable cinematic signature... Kubrick, Hitchcock, Truffaut among others. If I hadn't known that he was at the helm as I sat down in my theatre chair, I would have easily guessed it was him within a few short scenes. He is a master craftsman here, imbuing the film with vivid color and tremendous energy. The story is a true one, so there wasn't too much he could tinker with there. Spielberg's job here was to entertain us with an already fascinating story and I cannot think of a better cinematic entertainer than he.

Di Caprio is funny and charming as Frank Abagnale Jr., the young man who impersonated pilots and doctors and lawyers in the late half of the 1960's, all the while cashing in excess of $4 million in fraudulent checks. He is doggedly pursued by FBI agent Hanratty, played supremely well by Tom Hanks, who follows him all over the world tracking down his most recent caper. Hanks does a great job in role that many others would have turned into a cardboard cut out. He makes Hanratty a human being and fills him with quirky traits and a sympathetic soul. At the end of the film we are simultaneously rooting for Abagnale to escape and also for him to be caught.

One of the best things I can say about any film is that it flew by. 'Catch Me if You Can' is executed at lightening speed and left me wanting for more as the closing credits rolled.

There are so very many 90 minute films each year that seem 89 minutes too long... However, it was a joy to watch this film and I am sure it will hold up upon repeat viewings. It's rare that a film can make you laugh and cheer and cry and jump and tense up and smile every step of the way... this movie ALWAYS has something going on.

Christopher Walken has a great role as Frank's father. He deserves some Oscar consideration for this performance. He also delivers one of the year's funniest lines as he tells his son a joke early in the film. His bizarre speech and quirky personality are well suited for this part. There is simply no one like Walken... there never has been and there never will be.

This is one of the best films of 2002, and easily one of the most fun.

© Written by TC Candler

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A Richard Propes - B+ Jacob Hall - B

Richard Propes' Comment

I have to admit it. I've been a bit Leo'd out. I avoided seeing this film, and actually dreaded it. When I finally forced myself to view it, I was pleasantly surprised. Hanks, too, continues to amaze with his ability to take his unique physical characteristics and still manage to blend into any character he assumes. Virtually everyone here's at the top of their game, and Spielberg is well in control of his Spielbergisms. While I can't quite put this in the "A" range, it's a film I will undoubtedly visit again.

Jacob Hall's Comment

"Catch Me If You Can" is the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a young man who pretended to be a doctor, lawyer, and airline pilot. His cons netted him north of a million dollars, and put him on the FBI's wanted list.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Frank and does so very well. It's here that he escapes his corny acting in "Titanic" (an otherwise excellent movie). It's not a brilliant role, and I know he will do better in the future, but it more than gets the job done. Tom Hanks is the agent chasing him. Hanks is good here, but he never steals the show. He seems to realize that this is DiCaprio's film, not his. Christopher Walken got an Oscar nod for playing Frank's father. As with every Walken role, it's brilliant, but definitely not the best supporting role of the year.

Director Steven Spielberg keeps the film moving at a breakneck pace for the first 2/3 of the film, but somehow manages to blow it in the lat third, where the film slows to a snail's pace and takes on an entirely different form than the rest of the film.

When all is said and done, though, it's a funny and interesting film that shows that crime does pay, but it's the taxes that come with it that'll kill you.