CATCH ME IF YOU CAN - Bitesize Review # 8

Catch Me If You Can ****
USA: Steven Spielberg, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

Inspired by the real life antics of Frank Abagnale Jr., this Steven Spielberg film tells of how a teenager went onto become America’s most famous conman.

Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) has been brought up in a privileged family but his world begins to unravel, when the IRS investigate his father Frank Abagnale Sr., played by Christopher Walken. Unable to secure a bank loan his father can do nothing as his business, house and car are taken from him. A devastated Frank runs away when he learns his parents are getting divorced.

Desperate to bring the family back together Frank sets out to re-claim the wealth and prosperity they once enjoyed. Posing first as a pilot, then a doctor and a lawyer, the audacious trickster skilfully forges cheques around the world enabling him to raise millions of dollars.

Not surprisingly his exploits attract the attention of the FBI’s fraud department, with Special Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) determined to catch Frank and bring him to justice.

Released amidst an already impressive list of high profile films Catch Me If You Can would have to be something pretty special just to claim some attention. Thankfully it is, as Spielberg gets straight to the heart of the material, celebrating its unabashed humour without excluding the darker father/son tensions.

The acting throughout this impressive cast is of the highest standard. Significantly, DiCaprio captures the ‘best of his generation’ form of his earlier career going some way to answer those critics who felt he was less than convincing in Gangs of New York.

A thoroughly entertaining film, Excellent!