Average Rating: 
Rating: - Come Fly With Me
There is a definite sadness inherent in the story of Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio) in the film made by Steven Spielberg of Abagnale's life as a con man. But it is a sadness tempered by exhilarating highs when Frank's cons work to his advantage.
DiCaprio plays Frank with all the notes necessary to convey both the sadness: check out his annual 12/24 calls to his nemesis FBI Agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) and the exhilarating highs: Frank methodically planning and executing a con.Spielberg, in deciding to keep things "light," misses out on making his film deeper and more probing especially since he pretty much avoids the psychology of what makes Frank Jr. tick. His one stab at explaining Frank is a scene with Frank's father (brilliantly played by a subdued Christopher Walken) in which Frank Sr. tries to con a Bank Loan Officer and has Frank Jr. help him out.
The Cons by themselves are fascinating...this is true. But how much more interesting they would have been if we knew more of Frank's motivations. Is it just the money? I don't think so.
The production is flawless, capturing the 1960's in all their grooviness: the space age looking airports, the avocado colored refrigerators and stoves, the neon colored shirts and peg leg pants.
"Catch Me if You Can" is bright and fun and it's lingering sadness reminds me a lot of the TV series, "The Fugitive" with Tom Hanks playing Lt. Gerard to DiCaprio's Richard Kimble. If Spielberg had probed a little deeper though, "Catch Me if You Can" could have also been a lot more meaningful.
Rating: - Catch It If You Are In The Mood For A Well Told Story
This is a well directed, well acted movie from an excellent screenplay that tells the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio), a teenage "con man" who was finally captured after more than three years of posing as an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer while becoming a master check forger who undestood the intricacies of the banking system as well as did FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), the agent in charge of check fraud who pursued him. Obviously the reason Stephen Speilberg chose to make this movie was the challenge of keeping an audience entertained while telling an absolutely unbelievable story that only compells our attention because it is true.Leonardo DiCaprio becomes Frank and convinces us of his ability to con others through his belief in himself, and Tom Hanks is Carl Hanratty, the man whose life is his job and who not only becomes Frank's shadow but eventual savior from a French prison (in the movie's opening scene). The supporting cast is very good as well - Amy Adams as Brenda, with whom Frank falls in love, Martin Sheen as her father who despite his belief in his worldliness is totally taken in by Frank, but most crucially, Christopher Walken who plays Frank, Sr. to perfection, a dysfunctional father and husband whose self deception and failed marriage cause the crisis that leads to Frank's decision to make a life for himself without the usual moorings of reality. This is a story with many funny moments, but it is not a comedy. The movie begins near the story's conclusion to give us needed perspective, since otherwise it would seem even slower paced than it does at the beginning, which is one of its few faults. Then it concludes rapidly in a very interesting and somewhat unexpected manner except for those few moviegoers who may be familiar with the details of the story. However, when the film was over I felt that the audience's patience and understanding had been well rewarded; interestingly enough after more than two hours several people didn't rush out of the theater but sat there watching the credits and talking about the movie. In the end, to understand Frank's story, you had to understand his father, you had to understand Hanratty, you had to fully appreciate that Frank was really only a teenager, and the movie needed time to develop and integrate all these themes. So, kudos to all concerned for a well told story.
Rating:  - Leo is a charmer!
Catch Me If You Can is based on the true story of an amazing teenage runaway who successfully posed as an airline pilot, physician, and lawyer, and cashed millions of dollars in bad checks, all before he was 18!Leonardo DiCaprio is utterly charming as the clever Frank Abagnale, Jr. His considerable poise and confidence charm us immediately. Hanks plays his part as the FBI agent pleasantly enough, with a mysterious accent (I'll guess Boston). That the two became friends in real life is believable, because they both seem like such nice people. Christopher Walken plays Frank's troubled father in his typically eerie way. Speilberg recreates the 60's well and the script is riveting. There are many smiles and chuckles along the way, although I consider this a drama, not a comedy. It would have been more suspenseful if we did not know how it would end at the beginning. This is a very pleasant film that showcases the talented and adorable Leonardo DiCaprio. Enjoy!
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