Catch Me if You Can

The final resolution of this story, presented in text just before the final credits, is as interesting as the drama itself. It raises questions about our criminal justice system, e.g.. does the punishment fit the crime or is it an outlandish retaliation by structured society? And what about rehabilitation?

The film, directed by Spielberg and based on a true story, is good entertainment. I enjoyed watching it. The plot points worked; the initial problem was shown dramatically, not told; the protagonists reaction created rising tension; and there was a defined and rational climax. I also thought that the story line transitions between plot points were well done, given the restrictions of cinema.

Its hard to pay attention to background music during a film like this, but it is really good, matches the scenes perfectly and is the work of John Williams.

Whether true in real life or not, the cat and mouse relationship between the pursuing FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, and young Frank, the paperhanger (slang for check forger) gave this story complexity and emotional depth.

In the rental set, I found the second DVD with special features particular good. It contains an interview with the real Frank A. Abagnale, Jr. that is titled Between Reality and Fiction. Watching it you will learn how accurate the film rendition was to his real experiences. There are also a number of good, interesting interviews, including one with the FBI consultant that highlights the accuracy of the 1960s research and film recreation of that era.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale, Jr. He carries this part off very well, although I was initially distracted by what appeared to be excess makeup. I first saw DiCaprio in Titanic (1997), the film that launched him into superstardom. He earned $2.5M for Titanic and $20M for performing this role as Abagnale. DiCaprio manages to inject a subtle playfulness into this part which is true to the real person and which raises the film to the level of entertainment achieved by Redford and Newman in The Sting (1973). For actors, a story about a con artist is especially challenging because it requires the actor to act like a person who is acting.

Tom Hanks plays Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent who pursues Abagnale. The image he portrays as Hanratty provides a story frame for the character of Abagnale that brings it alive. Hanks has had film roles for 38 of the 39 performances in his 23 year career. He has expanded from acting, into directing, writing and producing. For example, he wrote and directed the TV mini-series, Band of Brothers (2001).

This story also raised questions for me about displaced brilliant teens as well as those less brilliant but bright teens that act out. We see the tip of the iceberg in the news; some 15-year-old kid hacks into a government computer somewhere. Below the level of the newsworthy there are many undiscovered, undeveloped but potentially useful minds. Not many are as audacious, as adept or as capable at mis-directions and social camouflage (in Spielbergs words) as this young man was. I would guess that the smart ones are criminals-at-large and the others are incarcerated.

I was also intrigued by the graphics designed for the film introduction.

Reviewed July 2, 2003