An Affecting Good Time Movie Experience

Rating: 10/10 (1 January 2003)

Who says Steven Spielberg can't make a movie without "scope". This is one fine movie going experience and a great yarn. Leo di Caprio gives an honest performance, but he can't hold a candle to Tom Hanks. Tom has a special appeal, which is why he's Tom Hanks. The most amazing thing about the film is that it is based on a true story. Thankfully, Christopher Walken supplies Leo with some interesting motivation for becoming "The Great Pretender". Earlier in his career, the knock on Spielberg was he was a director of spectacle; not an actor's director like Sydney Pollock. That just isn't the case. His abilities have matured, as has the man. This was an entertaining movie about an incredible character. Just the right fare for New Years Day!