Am I The Only One Who Read The Book First?

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2002)

Frank Abnigale Jr. appeared on the TV show PEOPLE ARE TALKING in the early 90's I believe. My mother and I were in awe of this man's true story and bought and read his book. I kept waiting for a movie to be made, but it never happened.....until now.
This is a GOOD MOVIE, but 2 hours is just not long enough to tell all the juicy details of this man's story. This movie is entertaining, but lacks the depth of the whole story. But heck, it's just a movie.
I, for one, wouldn't have minded seeing this movie play longer, but I am sure the studios didn't want to release a 3 hour movie. A two part mini-series might still give the story justice. Frank Abnigale Jr. did so much more than what was put into this movie. It was still fun though.
Left out, were quite a bit of the details about how he LEARNED fraudulent technique. I wonder if Spielberg thought the audience would be bored by such detail, but in fact, I would have been riveted. The movie feels like it's in a hurry (hardy har har) and is afraid of boring its audience.
Too fluffy for oscar buzz with the exception of Christopher Walken. Hey - maybe they will turn it into a series on cable.....8/10
T