Catch Me If You Can Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)January 3rd, 2003
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002) / ***
Directed by Steven Spielberg. Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson, based on the novel by Frank Abagnale Jr and Stan Redding. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken. Running time: 140 minutes. Rated PG for mild language by the MFCB. Reviewed on January 2nd, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: When the IRS causes the bankruptcy of his father (Walken) and the dissolution of his parents' marriage, Frank Abagnale Jr (DiCaprio) runs away from home and makes a career out of forging cheques. Soon, his talent for deception allows him to masquerade as a pilot, a doctor and even an assistant prosecutor. But with FBI Agent Hanratty (Hanks) on his tail, can Frank run forever?
Review: I've never really bought into the American fascination with criminals; it's part of the reason why I can't appreciate movies like "GoodFellas" or even "The Godfather" as much as other critics. So I was a bit surprised that I didn't have the same reaction to "Catch Me If You Can". Is it because I know that the criminal in question, Frank Abagnale Jr, eventually put his skills to better use? Or maybe it's because, in this case, the crime is a so-called "victimless" one, involving only the theft of money from banks? Honestly, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's simply down to the performance of the leads. DiCaprio is effortlessly charming as Frank, making the whole caper seem like a game; only a few flash-forwards to 1969, depicting a captured Frank rotting away in a French jail, temper the atmosphere. Hanks delivers a low-key portrayal of Hanratty, wisely not trying to steal the spotlight from DiCaprio. The sense of competition he fosters between the characters is part of the joy of the film, to the extent that this could almost be viewed as a warped kind of "buddy picture". Spielberg seems to take a more laid-back approach this time around, preferring to let the story lead the movie rather indulging in his trademark flourishes. Nonetheless, from an inspired animated opening credit sequence right to the end, "Catch Me If You Can" is a lot of fun.
Copyright © 2002 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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