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Catch Me If You Can (2002)
DreamWorks Distribution LLC, 2 hrs. 20 mins.
Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie
Baye, Amy Adams, James Brolin, Jennifer Garner
Directed by:
Steven Spielberg |
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From time to time, one can certainly
appreciate a playful game of cat-and-mouse. But when you get a trio of
Hollywood’s A-list hotshot players involved in the likes of ace filmmaker
Steven Spielberg, roguish big screen nomad Leonardo DiCaprio and the
always dependable Tom Hanks, then the game takes on a whole new
challenging form. In director Spielberg’s charming and effervescently
nostalgic adventure Catch Me If You Can, the nifty chase is definitely on.
One might notice that Catch is somewhat of a lighter and fluffier film for
the acclaimed Spielberg. Despite this observation, the moviemaker is every
bit dedicated to helming this light-hearted chase thriller as a thorough
project of sure-fire cheeky intrigue.
The film’s script, courtesy of Jeff Nathanson, captures the essence of an
unconventional crime drama that bombards the audience with the nuances set
against the Golden Age of Innocence circa the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.
Catch Me If You Can is a shrewd and unlikely holiday treat that relishes
its role as a crafty study of the con game set against the backdrop of a
period in time where cynicism was practically a non-existent concept
within a seemingly flawless society. The “triple threat” of Spielberg,
Hanks and DiCaprio convincingly helps usher in a new kind of period piece
where one man’s random deception contradicts the so-called idyllic facade
of American idealism and sensibilities in an otherwise scandal-free era.
Catch Me If You Can tells the interesting story of real-life swindler
Frank Abagnale (played with boyish flair by DiCaprio) who capitalized on
his ruse as the ultimate imposter. You name it and Abagnale did it—he
passed himself off as a teacher, airline pilot, doctor and lawyer. The
slick criminal managed to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes while bilking
gullible folks out of millions of dollars during his handful of years as a
top-notch fraud and forger. Abagnale was a man of dubious distinction who
sought out the life of crime as a recreational ritual. The fact that he
was able to competently pass himself off as all these types of
professional personas spoke volumes for what a cocky, cunning and crafty
cad Abagnale really was.
While Abagnale was creating mayhem in his fun little world of con
artistry, FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Hanks) was the assigned law enforcer in
charge of tracking down the hustler and bringing this rascal to justice.
What’s so fascinating about both men on different sides of the law is the
contrast in attitude regarding their profession. As a recidivist, Abagnale
revels in the delight of his high-minded and sophisticated capers. He
relishes the opportunity in scheming and scamming while donning all sorts
of outfits and courting lovely ladies in the process. As for Hanratty,
he’s a stiff and indifferent soul who needs to loosen up. As sad as it is
to say, “good guy” Hanratty is a total nonsensical drip that has nothing
to look forward to besides his mechanical and methodical duties as a
square-pegged governmental official. Whereas Abagnale is the sunshine in
the sky of giddy expectations, Hanratty is the cloudy alternative.
The movie takes off on all working cylinders because Spielberg has the
moxie to inject various levels of psychological foreplay into his escapist
fable. Catch Me If You Can is a showcase where the adrenaline is good
old-fashioned give-and-take. The comic timing between the two protagonists
is masterful. Just when the rebellious Abagnale is about to be apprehended
by the befuddled yet determined Hanratty, the wily grifter heads off in
another direction while adding more frustration for the slow-footed
authorities. Overall, this is a splashy session of “I Gotcha” where the
fun is non-stop and the joy ride of Spielberg’s animated imagination still
resonates with pure satisfaction.
Catch Me If You Can manages to slickly tease the masses and we become
involved in the shenanigans of Frank Abagnale’s unlawful universe. With
sheer panache, Spielberg makes us all accomplices in this clever live
action cartoon where larger than life characters run amok in what amounts
to be a hugely frothy caper. DiCaprio has a heck of a time crawling into
the mischievous skin of revered duper Frank Abagnale Jr. as he embodies
the naughty spirit of this butter-fingered anti-hero. Hanks brings a
unique blandness to FBI Agent Hanratty, an individual whose only crime is
not reaching out enough to live the carefree life of his youthful targeted
nemesis. Christopher Walken lends some poignancy in his role as Frank
Abagnale, Sr., a disillusioned soul who fell victim to the hands of an
unsympathetic, impatient government beaurocracy. This perhaps was the
instrumental factor, among others, that led Frank Jr. down the revengeful
road in the name of his disgraced father.
Clearly, Catch Me If You Can is an invigorating and gleefully impish
charmer that is laced with perceptive performances. Dazzling and snappy in
content, this finely acted film is a pleasurable display that’s exuberant
and irresistibly imaginative. This true-life tale of one unctuous man’s
spontaneous wheeling-and-dealing is generously insightful and comes
together effectively by many aspects ranging from Janusz Kaminski’s spry
cinematography to John Williams’s bouncy, retro-sounding musical score
that gives this film a natural flow to the chaos being presented.
The questionable exploits of Frank Abagnale may have been elusive during
his reign of uncanny impersonations, chicanery and big time thievery, but
his antics in Catch Me If You Can is something that’s steady enough to
hold onto in complete forethought. This zesty flick is a winner and how
fitting that Spielberg’s magic touch would predictably qualify his brash
and amusing offering as one of the best films of the year. |
