'Catch Me If You Can'

Rating: 8/10 (23 April 2004)

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale, the kid who ran away from home and became a con-artist. Frank successfully impersonates a co-pilot, a doctor and we find that he has other surprises up his sleeve. In the process, Frank uses over two million dollars via forged checks.
In 'Catch Me If You Can', director Steven Spielberg strays away from his sci-fi explorations (AI, Minority Report) and gets back to the basics. By that I mean, that he makes a simple movie (no superlative heroes or special effects) that everyone can enjoy. The entire cast excels here. DiCaprio, uses charm and wit in his performance as the scheming Frank. Hanks is funny in his turn as a nerdy and obsessive FBI agent. Walken gives his strongest performances in years in a small, but pivotal, role as Frank's father.
Even though the pace of the film slows a bit during the last third, it is still a witty and immensely entertaining film. This one's a real catch.
Rating: (8/10)