Steven Spielberg has been working hard lately.

Just think about it – two very smart flicks: ‘AI’ and ‘Minority Report’. The former mostly misunderstood, the latter a smash box office hit, yet again with very different opinions about it – and though I liked it I must admit that the critique of MR ain’t way off base at all. In other words, it is rumoured that those movies are not as smart as somebody thinks they are. What’s more, Steven probably understands that too: could it be that he reads Epinions? (just kidding), okay – now – here he goes with another shot, an absolutely different kinda movie: for the first time in some 5 or maybe more years Mr. Spielberg is relaxed and it shows, as this flick has but one purpose

…to entertain.



Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks): Do you want to go to prison?
Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio): You’re going to have to catch me.




1. THE PLOT


A true story – Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is really upset about his parents’ divorce. Actually – to such an extent, that he doesn’t stay with any of his parents. Although no – with his father, but they don’t live together any longer. Still, seeing how Frank Abagnale Sr. (Christopher Walken) is gradually becoming more and more bankrupt, the junior decides to help his daddy out. And the only thing Frankie is really good at – always been – is cheating. It doesn’t take the talented youngster much time to become one of America’s biggest con men, who manages to pass himself off as several identities, while trying to escape the FBI hounds lead by the gloomy workoholic Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks).


Frank Abagnale Sr.: Do you know why the Yankees always win?
Frank Abagnale Jr.: Because they’ve got Mantle?
Frank Abagnale Sr.: No. It’s because the other team’s too busy staring at the pin stripes.



2. THE CAST


Leonardo DiCaprio was pretty good in Scorcese’s ‘Gangs of NY’, but he shines as Frank Abagnale Jr. in ‘Catch me if You Can’! While Martin Scorcese concentrates on his story and the bloody rivalry between the gangs (as a result all actors are left to struggle alone and most of the time remain in Day-Lewis's shade), Steven Spielbergs lets the story flow (and it’s easier for him, as the story’s based on real events) and concentrates on his adversaries’ personalities instead. Now we all know that Tom Hanks is a superb actor, but if anybody has had doubts about DiCaprio – Leo may well have proved in this film that he ain’t any worse. While his performance certainly reminds of 'The Pretender’ TV series a bit ( …are you a doctor? I am today… ) – and just like in the Jarod's case, each Abignale's trick Leo plays here makes you at least see a sympathetic character in this swindler - here's something more than a sympathetic outlaw pretender: DiCaprio's Frank Abignale Jr. is still a boy who’s lost his family idyll too fast too early... Now he wants to play with FBI, wants to be Sean Connery, drive Aston Martin DB5 from ‘Goldfinger’, fall in love, even get married, above all – wants to help his dad who refuses to admit he’s drowning…
I just wanna say: not everyone would be able to play this lad the way Leo did. The fellow deserves some praise.

His “dad”, Christopher Walken got a nomination as a Best Actor in a Supporting Role – the performance was really good and I'm well aware that Mr. Walken is a great actor, but… I don’t know if this was role worth of a nomination. I'll stay with Leonardo - he was.

Now Tom Hanks is an absolutely cute character in the guise of an FBI hound, and at the same time the only person in the world (yes, not even Frank’s father, but him) who understands Abagnale Jr.
What more? Even though this is a pretty one-dimensional role, Tom still does the job in his usual excellent manner, once again proving that he is one of the best and most stable Hollywood actors nowadays.

Hey, I know many of you will disagree with some of this. That's the funniest part ;)



3. COME FLY WITH ME


…let’s fly, let’s fly away
If you could use some exotic booze
There’s a bar in far Bombay…

No nominations for entertainment movies? Please… then what about LOTR (it IS an entertainment movie, how else would you call that?), or ‘Chicago’, or ‘Shakespeare in Love’? And there were more… Let’s however face the truth about this flick: it ain’t a masterpiece, so this time everything is fair. It’s simply fun, besides superb fun – all the way. Abagnale’s fantasy and love for risk will never cease to surprise you, while Leo and Hanks will keep the things real, masterfully directed by Spielberg’s firm hand. A couple of cheesy moments did spoil the movie for me just a little tiny bit (c’mon, did he really say grace that way? And actually the whole Martin Sheen part was dumb), and unless you expect a serious biographic drama, you shouldn’t be disappointed too. Neither should the astonishing camera work and editing be bypassed: they make an already good movie a really great time you won’t regret spending! Lastly, here’s to John Williams: the score is as usual, amazing. So I guess I couldn't recommend this nice movie more sincerely… but


But what about Leo? Just how long is the Academy going to keep ignoring him? Though the memories of 'Titanic' have drowned a couple of years ago already, I’m afraid it may take another while. Quite a while :((


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older