Fascinating Biography

Rating: 8/10 (2 May 2015)

Catch Me If You Can is based off a true story of a sixteen year old, Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo Dicaprio), who swindles millions of dollars from banks through check fraud and deception. It begins when Frank's mother and father get a divorce after his father gets in trouble with the IRS, Frank enters his crime spree in the hopes of gaining a fortune and getting his parents back together. He attracts the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), who organizes a manhunt after the teenager.
This movie balanced the lighthearted absurdity and the dark reality of the situation, so that the audience transitions back and forth between chuckling with amusement and holding their breath with apprehension. With Frank Abagnale Jr being a genius young criminal evading the law, and Carl Hanratty being the serious, dedicated FBI agent trying to stop him, the viewer finds themselves rooting for both characters in the game of cat and mouse. Both Carl and Frank can be likable and despicable, smart and dumb, right and wrong. Their portrayal by actors Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks keeps the audience watching eagerly to the end.
Whether a viewer is initially attracted to the movie by the actors, the director, or the premise, they are sure to find themselves satisfied with Catch Me if You Can.