Review by Richard Dennis
Catch Me If You Can is above all, the fastest, and most lightheartedly entertaining film Spielberg has made in years. When you compare it with this summer's Minority Report (a great success in it's own right), it almost looks like it was made by a different filmmaker. But look again, the real Steven is in there.
From the wonderful backlighting by Janusz Kaminski, to the beautiful close-ups (mainly the eyes) that Spielberg is known for, this film marks a precise return to "crowd-pleasing" for him after his more experimental sci-fi offerings of late.
The (mostly) true story centers around Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, after witnessing the divorce of his parents, runs away from home at the age of 16. Frank, you see, is devastated. He idolizes his family and more importantly, his dad (played to absolute perfection by Christopher Walken.) In his desire to make sense of the divorce (and perhaps get his family to reconcile) Frank Jr. winds up impersonating a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, a lawyer, and, in an early sequence, even his own classes substitute teacher. Oh, and did I mention that he passed millions of dollars in bad checks before he was through?
The film has a wonderful period 60's feel, from the clothes and cars, right down to the television shows Frank watches in order to get his inspiration for his next con. DiCaprio never portrays Frank as a high-minded criminal, but as a lonely and eager teenager who is experiencing the world (good and bad) for the first time. It is this approach by Spielberg and DiCaprio that makes the film fire on all cylinders. We want Frank to get away with his deceptions. We root for him through and through. At the same time however, we want Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), the FBI agent on his tail, to catch him. It's a push and pull scenario that works beautifully (and had the audience I sat with cheering in their seats.)
It's quite clear from the beginning that Hanks is not in this role to showboat. As the FBI agent desperate to catch Frank, he simply disappears into the skin of Carl Hanratty and exists in complete service of the story. This supporting role is not designed to win Hanks any Oscars, but he is damn fine in it just the same.
If there is a standout in the film other than Leo, it is Christopher Walken as Frank Sr. Walken loses the Òcreepy bad guyÓ persona and delivers what might his best performance in years (thanks in no small part to Spielberg, I'm sure.) We sympathize with Frank Sr. because, like his son, he is not a criminal but a good man trying to atone for his past mistakes. He loves his wife and his son, and wants to do anything to keep them happy. His cheerfulness in the face of hard times gives the film its beating heart.
First and foremost, however, this is a chase film. A Cat and Mouse story that is as good as you could hope for. The film has energy to spare and a terrific jazzy score by John Williams that only makes the proceedings even more fun. Catch Me If You Can is the perfect antithesis to the other heavy holiday movies this season. It's light, airy, and a wonderfully exciting time at the movies.
If this is the gear that Spielberg is now switching to after a darker, more cerebral stint, then bring it on. Light or dark, after 30 years of filmmaking Steven Spielberg is still at the top of his game..
Richard Dennis
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Catch Me If You Can (2002)
