| CATCH ME IF YOU CAN |
| Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen Directed by Steven Spielberg *** out of **** Catch Me If You Can is Steven Spielberg�s Ocean�s Eleven. After two dark dabblings in SF (one which estranged people and another which presented an interesting criminological idea), the Bearded One wisely chose lighter fare to follow up with. He got his hands on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr, who was the youngest person ever to earn a position on the FBI�s most wanted list. Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio) is in a French prison. It�s 1969, and he is seriously ill. FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) is there to escort him back to the States. Then, through prolonged flashbacks, the story of Abagnale�s life unfolds. We learn that his father (Christopher Walken) was investigated by the IRS, and that the family had to leave their spacious house for a cramped apartment. Frank impersonates a teacher at school, and that day marks Frank�s realization of his potential. Through a criminal career that focuses mainly on fraud, Abagnale becomes rich as he assumes new professions and surnames. On his trail is Hanratty, desperate to catch the boy before he is humiliated further by Abagnale�s resourcefulness. How anyone cannot consider DiCaprio a good actor is beyond me. With this and Gangs of New York we see an acting ability that far exceeds good looks. He is utterly convincing as Abagnale and grabs audience empathy with great ease (which is also due to Spielberg�s practiced audience-friendly hand). Hanks� Hanratty creates less of an impact, but that�s not a bad thing because this is DiCaprio�s film. For some reason though, Hanks constantly evokes the image of Dan Ackroyd in a suit and tie. Christopher Walken gives a restrained but enthusiastic performance as Frank Abagnale Sr, and his relationship with his son provides the film�s sentiment. Catch Me If You Can clocks in at just under 2� hours, but moves at such a pace that it is never boring (although the trailer makes it look like a non-stop fugitive hunt, which it certainly isn�t). The film illustrates how image-driven America is but doesn�t comment on it directly since the aim of the picture is to entertain the heart and eyes, not to engage the mind with social commentary. It also shows that crime pays. Why did they choose to film this story? The film downplays Abagnale�s criminality to make him more endearing. He is never glorified, however, and is portrayed more as a lost soul making millions than a guy with a firm foothold on the world. Do not expect anything more from Catch Me If You Can than to be entertained. As good and highly enjoyable as this crime caper is, I�m hoping Spielberg turns to the dark side again. COPYRIGHT 2003 CW Broodryk |
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