Catch Me If You Can

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
UIP
RELEASED 31 January 2003

Any new Steven Spielberg film is an event in itself, and although the great man has under-achieved in recent years, ‘Minority Report’ was a huge leap back in the right direction and ‘Catch Me If You Can’ finds him at the top of his game. Quite simply, it’s his best film for years. And the funny thing is, you wouldn’t even know he directed it. There are no flashy camera tricks, none of the recent sentimentality, and no sign of a syrupy John Williams score, only a jazz-inspired catchy groove (from Mr Williams though, proving he can still do it when he wants to). The story follows Frank Abagnale Jnr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) making a fortune by pretending to be an airline co-pilot, doctor and lawyer through forged IDs and cheques, all before he’s even eighteen years old. Hot on his tail is FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), determined to catch the young tearaway. With his new-found wealth, Frank even gets to act out the fantasies of every young man as James Bond, from the car to the sharp suit. And yes, he does get the girl too. But this is a sympathetic anti-hero who has estranged parents, never forgetting his hard-working father and doing what he feels he can for him, generally inappropriately spending money on him. Leonardo DiCaprio is superb as the cheeky young chancer, Christopher Walken plays his over-the-hill father, and Tom Hanks puts in his usual assured performance. ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is a wonderful two hours of entertainment which will make you remember those carefree days of youth.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE