An Amazing Story

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2003)

This movie is an adaptation of the book written by Frank Abagnale Jr., at one time one of the top con artists/forgers in history. The film is a sharp intelligent chase between the FBI and Frank. Surrounded by excellent locations, dialogue, and an excellent John Williams soundtrack, you are mesmerized by the sheer confidence and extent to which Frank was capable of eluding the law and forging checks. At times, Frank seems more like an escape artist/magician than a criminal.
One thing the film doesn't truly address is whether or not the immense losses suffered by the banks, truly affected any individuals or business in a long term manner. What it does show is how one step in the wrong direction can create a snowball effect that doesn't allow one to escape even when they want out. Frank, while living the life of luxury, somewhere along the line realizes that to live that life while being chased isn't going to work.
Luckily, for him, he was very young when he made his mistakes, and being very intelligent he acquired and retained skill set invaluable to law enforcement agencies and security companies today. Frank was able to turn his mistakes into a good thing in the end. I would guess, and one would hope, that if he had to do it over again, he probably wouldn't have made the same choices.
A very well done worthy of watching. Enjoy it!