Catch Me If You Can

Steven Spielberg, USA, 2002, 141 minutes

Based on the true story of Frank M. Abagnale Jr., Catch Me If You Can tells the story of a young man who becomes one of the greatest conmen of the 1960’s era. Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) grows up in a loving home constantly seeking the approval of his dad (Christopher Walken), who has more than a few problems of his own. When his parents' marriage falls apart and the happy home he grew up in falls down around him, Frank runs away assuming the identity of people he believes his dad would approve of. Frank gets so good at what he does he manages to travel the world in style impersonating a doctor, a pilot, a lawyer, a Lutheran, and even passed the Louisiana State Bar, forging cheques all the way.

Abagnale is pursued relentlessly by a humourless and determined FBI agent, Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks); a character based on the real-life check-fraud specialist who eventually caught Abagnale. During the course of their chase Hanratty soon becomes the father figure absent from Abagnale’s life, telling him to stop what he's doing while his real father is too lost and confused in his own troubles to give the young Frank the guidance he so desperately needs.

Speilberg has produced a superb, fun and bright film that perfectly captures the mood of the Sixties. All of the actors produce top-notch performances giving the characters the hidden depths that have been so skilfully written into the script. The knowledge that Frank eventually gets caught does not spoil the movie in the slightest. The story contains so many twists and turns that you get dizzy following the life and loves of this extraordinary young man.

Review by Jane Birch
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2003