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Catch Me If You Can | Year: 2002 Classification: Comedy Directed: - Steven Spielberg Actors/Actresses: - Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr - Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty - Christopher Walken as Frank Abagnale - Martin Sheen as Roger Strong - Nathalie Baye as Paula Abagnale - Amy Adams as Brenda Strong - James Brolin as Jack Barnes - Frank John Hughes as Earl Amdursky - Brian Howe as Tom Fox - Steve Eastin as Paul Morgan - Jennifer Garner as Cheryl Ann - Nancy Lenehan as Carol Strong - Ellen Pompeo as Marci - Chris Ellis as Witkins - John Finn as Marsh Catch It If You Are In The Mood For A Well Told Story This is a well directed, well acted movie from an excellent screenplay that tells the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a teenage "con man" who was finally captured after more than three years of posing as an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer while becoming a master check forger who undestood the intricacies of the banking system as well as did FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), the agent in charge of check fraud who pursued him. Obviously the reason Stephen Speilberg chose to make this movie was the challenge of keeping an audience entertained while telling an absolutely unbelievable story that only compells our attention because it is true. Leonardo DiCaprio becomes Frank and convinces us of his ability to con others through his belief in himself, and Tom Hanks is Carl Hanratty, the man whose life is his job and who not only becomes Frank's shadow but eventual savior from a French prison (in the movie's opening scene). The supporting cast is very good as well - Amy Adams as Brenda, with whom Frank falls in love, Martin Sheen as her father who despite his belief in his worldliness is totally taken in by Frank, but most crucially, Christopher Walken who plays Frank, Sr. to perfection, a dysfunctional father and husband whose self deception and failed marriage cause the crisis that leads to Frank's decision to make a life for himself without the usual moorings of reality. This is a story with many funny moments, but it is not a comedy. The movie begins near the story's conclusion to give us needed perspective, since otherwise it would seem even slower paced than it does at the beginning, which is one of its few faults. Then it concludes rapidly in a very interesting and somewhat unexpected manner except for those few moviegoers who may be familiar with the details of the story. However, when the film was over I felt that the audience's patience and understanding had been well rewarded; interestingly enough after more than two hours several people didn't rush out of the theater but sat there watching the credits and talking about the movie. In the end, to understand Frank's story, you had to understand his father, you had to understand Hanratty, you had to fully appreciate that Frank was really only a teenager, and the movie needed time to develop and integrate all these themes. So, kudos to all concerned for a well told story. excellent movie with great performances A Film by Steven Spielberg Catch Me If You Can is based on the 1980 memoir by Frank Abagnale. We are told at the very beginning that this movie is inspired by the book, which means that there are changes in both the events of the book as well as the characters. All this means is that the filmmakers chose to tell a slightly different story than was Abagnale presented in the book. It doesn't make the movie any less truthful. This is the story of con man Frank Abagnale, Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio). The movie starts with Abagnale in a French prison and being released into the custody of FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks). Throughout the film we switch back between Abagnale conning and running from the law to Abagnale and Hanratty talking on the plane. It offers a nice change of pace as well as a continued questioning of how Abagnale got caught. We flash back to Abagnale before he leaves home. He is devoted to his father (Christopher Walken), and is deeply hurt by the divorce and the court requirement that he make the choice of which parent he wants to live with. Instead, Abagnale chooses neither and runs away to New York City. Thus begins his life of the con (though there is a suggestion that he had been doing some check/credit card conning before he runs away). Surprisingly, the movie strays from focusing on Frank Abagnale himself but spends just as much (or more) time on Carl Hanratty and the hunt to catch Abagnale. Hanratty is a somewhat geeky FBI Agent. He is very serious and very devoted to his job of catching check frauds like Abagnale. He is good at his job, but Abagnale leads Hanratty on a long chase over most of the country (and the world) before ending in France. The film shows as Hanratty discovers more clues as to where Abagnale is, but never quite manages to catch up to him. There is the yearly Christmas Eve phone call from Abagnale to Hanratty (because both end up alone on Christmas). We do get to see some of the cons that Frank Abagnale pulls off, but we never quite see his preparation or learn the reason why Abagnale is conning. It takes something away from an otherwise excellent movie. I would recommend this movie as I thought it was quite good, but if I had to choose between Abagnale's book and the movie, I would take the book any day of the week. A good way to pass an afternoon, but just that.. "Catch me if You can" is a disposable movie about the exploits of "paperhanger" Frank W. Abagnale, based on the book of the same name. Frank Jr.(Leonardo DiCaprio in a good role) starts his imposter career while still in high school. Then, he drops out when his father(played subtly by Christopher Walken) has severe financial problems, and starts to learn how to pass off bad checks. He comes up with the idea to pose as a Pan-Am pilot, and uses a new scheme taking advantage of routing numbers. Hoping to find the con-man, is Carl Henrietty(Tom Hanks). There are a few close calls where Carl nearly catchs Frank, and Frank always calls Carl on Christmas(which leads to his undoing). Frank also impersonates a lawyer and a doctor on his crime spree, and meets a woman that he falls in love with(Amy Adams). Frank meets the girl's father(Martin Sheen in a great cameo), who is estanged from her. Frank nearly marries her, and he runs away after he has to tell her the truth. There is a happy ending, as Carl helps Frank to use his abilities to catch other crooks. Buy Catch Me If You Can at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Catch Me If You Can Search with the Priority Search Engine on Catch Me If You Can This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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