Directed by the one and only incomparable cinematic genius of the 80s, Steven Spielberg, the film "Catch Me If You Can" is one of his cinematic gems, being one of those visual adventures that contain all the elements of an interesting story, shining with a profound background.
The movie is based on the autobiography of the same name written by Frank Abagnale Jr. The plot follows Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio), a teenager who, after his parents' unexpected divorce, runs away from home. With his talent for deception, before turning 19, he manages to pose as a prestigious airline pilot, a resident doctor, and a lawyer, defrauding millions of dollars in fake checks worldwide. Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), an FBI agent, tries to catch him and put him under arrest.
From Spielberg’s perspective, we as viewers are fully immersed in the aesthetics of the 60s. The film can be summed up as a cat and mouse game, in which a lawman pursues a cunning con artist around the world.
The premise is masterful in grabbing attention and the film delivers on what it promises. The dynamic between its two stars is endearing. Leonardo DiCaprio had his youthful charisma; his portrayal of Frank is bold, but the actor often reveals the vulnerability of a frightened child who doesn’t know what he’s doing and just wants to reunite with his family.
In seeking success and fulfillment, shortcuts are often considered to achieve those goals. This film takes to the extreme the consequences of “thinking you’re too clever” when aspiring to have everything you desire.
In the story, Frank’s father taught him that with enough cunning a man can achieve anything he sets out to do. Seeing his parents’ marriage fall apart along with the life he knew, the idea arose in him to take a shortcut to regain everything he had lost. The issue is that once having more than enough, and being pursued by the law, he became trapped in the routine of a fugitive: no matter how much he wished to stop, he couldn’t without losing everything he had gained. That is Frank Abagnale Jr.’s dilemma.
On the other hand, Tom Hanks as Agent Carl Hanratty is persistent and unyielding like a classic hunter; Carl is a solitary bureaucrat. As the plot progresses, the relationship between the hunter and his elusive prey evolves into an almost father-son bond. They are similar as people who do not live with their families because they are busy with their own affairs; they are two sides of the same coin.
Visually spectacular, "Catch Me If You Can" is essentially a melancholic story about the impact of broken homes and unreachable pursuits. Spielberg is and has been a cinematic genius; this work is a masterpiece of entertainment: despite the hidden truth, it is a work full of heart.
What do I mean by the hidden truth? It’s worth mentioning. Decades ago, Abagnale’s fantastic story was accepted as fact. However, in 2020, a researcher proved that Frank Abagnale Jr.’s incredible story is largely a big lie.
Frank Abagnale Jr. is a real person who committed fraud in his youth; with the gift of deception and storytelling, he managed to sell his story as truth, but his spectacular tale of international pursuit is complete fiction.
Rating: 80/100