Following the true story of Frank Abagnale, Catch Me if You Can pits stars Tom Hanks (FBI Agent Carl Hanratty) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Abagnale) against one another. The movie, which is anything but the typical chase movie, shares some of the more intriguing qualities of The Thomas Crown Affair. It’s a movie with some brains.
The movie’s plot is based upon the con life of Frank Abagnale. Abagnale made the FBI’s most wanted list at the age of 19 for check forgery. At times the slant added by consulting Frank Abagnale becomes very apparent. The result is a spin which brings in more emotional motivation behind the various cons and check kiting that the plot revolves around. Abagnale is portrayed as boy wounded by his mother’s infidelity who just wants to find his place in society. There are moments when that particular slant seems to be played on a little too much, but it really does bring some human aspects into the story.
Catch Me if You Can, however, is not all intrigue and human interest. There are some very comical moments that creep in here and there, keeping things from getting too serious overall.
Catch Me if You Can is entertaining on many levels. There is no doubt that it’s worth the $9 it’ll cost to see it in theaters.
