Catch Me If You Can (2002)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers (WGA):

Jeff Nathanson (screenplay)
Frank Abagnale Jr. (book) ...

Release Date:

25 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The true story of a real fake.

Plot:

A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Pilot | FBI Agent | Doctor | Attorney

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 18 nominations

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Frank Abagnale Jr.
Tom Hanks	...	Carl Hanratty
Christopher Walken	...	Frank Abagnale
Martin Sheen	...	Roger Strong
Nathalie Baye	...	Paula Abagnale
Amy Adams	...	Brenda Strong
James Brolin	...	Jack Barnes
Brian Howe	...	Earl Amdursky
Frank John Hughes	...	Tom Fox
Steve Eastin	...	Paul Morgan
Chris Ellis	...	Special Agent Witkins
John Finn	...	Assistant Director Marsh
Jennifer Garner	...	Cheryl Ann
Nancy Lenehan	...	Carol Strong
Ellen Pompeo	...	Marci

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief language.

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | India:UA (DVD rating) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Canada:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:7 | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Bern) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39409) | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

3077 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The scenes in the French classroom and the library were filmed at McKinley School in Pasadena, CA. During spring break, about six months after the film's release, the production crew removed all of the set pieces the school had been using, to the school administration's surprise.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Carl confronts Frank in France, just after he yells "They're going to kill you!" his mouth moves after that, but you don't hear anything.

Quotes:

Tom Fox: He doesn't have a passport.
Carl Hanratty: For the last six months, he's gone to Harvard and Berkeley. I'm betting he can get a passport.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 'Catch Me If You Can': In Closing (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Put Your Head On My Shoulder

Very good film has those Spielberg edges!

At first I thought I was going to see a lightweight film from a great director but instead I watched another impressive achievement by Steven Spielberg. A few things stand out and of course the performances are terrific. Leonardo Dicaprio is believable as a guy that can convince people that he's someone else. Dicaprio is a charmer and is very smooth as we watch his character do some fancy talk to the young ladies. Tom Hanks as the FBI agent reminds me of his cynical character that he played in "A League of Their Own" and his mere presence adds more to this film. The sign of a great film star. And Christopher Walken gives one of his best performances in his already interesting career. The last scene of him as he talks to his son in the restaurant is so moving that it reflects on the great talent of Walken. You can understand why Dicaprio admires and loves his father. Walken conveys these emotions and makes the audience react just accurately. I'll be rooting for him at Oscar time. Another impressive thing about this film is the beautiful cinematography by Janusz Kaminski who's a real artist with a camera and has worked on several Spielberg films. One shot in particular stands out. The ray of sunshine coming in through the kitchen window on Walken. Very thought provoking. And of course since its a Spielberg film its very personal. Spielberg was interested in the Frank Abagnale character because as a youngster he also came from a broken family and wanted to be someone else. Spielberg would sneak onto the studios and tell people that he worked there. Also, the real Frank Abagnale jr. appears as a French police officer. Well made, extremely well acted and sharply written. Viewers seem to forget that this is really a film about the breaking up of a family and the aftermath. This really is a personal film from Spielberg, and a very good one.