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CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Directed by Steven Spielberg
When I think of Steven Spielberg, I think of entertainment. Films like JURASSIC PARK, MINORITY REPORT, JAWS, and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK are an over-abundance of fun. Aside from his more serious work like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, I expect his films to leave me with a smile on my face. Watching CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was a blast... up to a point. By the time it ended I was just glad that it was over.
Frank Abignale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a master forger, a con artist - working as a co-pilot, a lawyer, and a doctor - a thief, and a teenager. Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), an FBI Agent, makes catching Frank his all-consuming task, but Frank is able to fool him at every turn, even when Frank is right in front of him. In a funny and somewhat suspenseful scene, Carl catches up to Frank and has him in his hotel room at gun point, yet Frank is able to con his way out of the situation.
Watching the actors was the greatest joy I got from this film, particularly Christopher Walken as Frank Abignale, Sr. In PULP FICTION, Walken is in only one scene. However, it was one of the film’s most memorable moments, thanks to Chris’ performance. He’s just amazing to watch. In this film, although it is a small supporting role, Walken still manages to steal the show. DiCaprio and Hanks are also very good, especially watching them interact, whether in be via telephone or the few scenes where the characters are actually together. Hanks in particular delivers some great lines of dialogue, most notably his delivery of the obligatory use of the "f" word.
The film was all fun and good until somewhere in the beginning of the third act it, where it started to become repetitive. It got frustrating because I just wanted Frank to get caught. When he finally does get caught, the film still drags on for a good fifteen-twenty minutes. I was left feeling that I knew the story, enjoyed it up to a point, but would never want to see it again.
My Rating: ***
Review by Jared Mills
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