Catch Me If You Can

r96sk 2/15/2023 1:15:15 AM 8.4

Just as great as expected. I'm not quite sure how I've never got around to watching this, for two reasons: Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Literally two of my favourite actors. Well, at least I have now and I can only add to the general vibe around <em>'Catch Me If You Can'</em>. It's very good! DiCaprio and Hanks are terrific throughout, the former narrowly outshines the latter but the film is very much greater for having them both onboard. Neat to see the likes of Christopher Walken and Amy Adams behind 'em, too. It's as well cast, and as well made, as you'd anticipate from a Steven Spielberg flick. I potentially would've shaved a little bit off the run time, though that's very much a minor, minor 'but' of mine. All things considered, it's entertaining to watch, has some solid amusement and is told in a interesting manner. I'd happily revisit it, certainly. A quick look at the real life Frank Abagnale's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_Me_If_You_Can#Cast">Wikipedia</a> seems to suggest an equally as intriguing story, with many claims of his potentially being debunked in the years since... yet that, given what has followed them, would simply make him even more of a noteworthy con man!

The Movie Mob 9/17/2022 8:41:03 PM 8.4

**Catch Me If You Can is an entertaining and amusing film full of Spielberg, Hanks, and DiCaprio charm.** With Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio as leads and Steven Spielberg directing, I don't think it's possible not to enjoy this movie. Everyone loves Hanks and young Leo. Every Spielberg film drips with nostalgia and enthusiasm. Catch Me If You Can is precisely what you would expect from this talented crew. A clever, witty film with growing respect between a con artist and the FBI agent trailing him. Spielberg crafts an excellent, satisfying, and entertaining movie based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. and Carl Hanratty.

CinemaSerf 3/13/2024 9:17:58 PM 8.4

For me, this is one of Leonardo DiCaprio's most natural performances. He is Frank Abagnale, a hugely intuitive seventeen year old youth with a boundless imagination and a criminal mind that might have made "Moriarty" blush. He quickly realises that most of society is based on the eggshell principle. We take things trustingly, on face value, and never explore what we don't think to ask. When we do, then the shell disintegrates and we discover a man who has convinced the most intelligent people that he can be a lawyer, a doctor, even an airline pilot and he is commanding salaries from each, even if that money is also the fruits of his meticulously creative labours! Eventually, tenacious FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is on his trail. Instead of intimidating Abagnale, this cat and mouse game actually stimulates him and what now ensues are some entertainingly put together escapades that see DiCaprio clearly have some fun as he schmoozes, womanises and travels the world in style. Hanks doesn't actually feature so much until the conclusion, it's actually Christopher Walken who stands out more as the troubled father. Having lost just about everything to the IRS, it's down to junior to refloat his dad's boat - snd he's having s very good try! Amy Adans introduces the tiniest element of romance as Brenda, whose lawyer father (Martin Sheen) is also bamboozled by the sheer brass-neckery of this supreme con artist. Right from the Hitchcockian opening titles, we hit the ground running and Steven Spielberg paces this enjoyably, assisted by a sprightly score from John Williams. Were it not based on an true story, you'd have thought it an exquisite work of imaginative fiction. It is, and it's a really effective reflection of just what a man can get away with if he's got a nice smile and a sharp suit.