Catch Me If You Can (2002)
★★★½ — Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can (2002) is based on Frank Abagnale Jr.'s 1980 memoir of the same name, though the book's claims have since attracted considerable scepticism from journalists and researchers. Spielberg made it almost as a palate cleanser, shooting it in the gaps around Minority Report (also 2002), and the lighter, jazzy register shows, with John Williams delivering one of his most playful scores in years. DiCaprio, coming off Gangs of New York, was still in the process of shedding his teen-idol image, and the role suited that particular moment in his career neatly. The film arrived at DreamWorks during a commercially healthy period for Spielberg, and its $352 million worldwide return on a $52 million budget confirmed the studio had a breezy, crowd-pleasing hit on its hands.
The fact this actually happened is insane to me. It’s genuinely mind-blowing that Catch Me If You Can is based on a true story. Frank Abagnale Jr. wasn’t just a conman, he was THE conman, outwitting the FBI while posing as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer before he was even old enough to legally drink. Spielberg’s direction keeps the pace snappy, DiCaprio is effortlessly charming, and Tom Hanks plays the weary, determined FBI agent with just the right mix of frustration and admiration. The 1960s aesthetic, the jazzy John Williams score, the globetrotting antics, it all makes for a stylish, endlessly entertaining ride. Sure, it’s a little glossy, smoothing out some of the rougher edges of the real story, but as far as true crime adaptations go, it’s one of the most fun you’ll ever watch. Almost makes you want to try forging a cheque yourself… almost.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2002 | Watched: 2004-02-04
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Related on Movies With Macca
More from Steven Spielberg: Duel (1971) · Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) · E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) · The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
More with Leonardo DiCaprio: Blood Diamond (2006) · The Beach (2000) · One Battle After Another (2025) · Gangs of New York (2002)
More from the 2000s: Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) · Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) · Daredevil (2003) · Apocalypto (2006)
More drama: Viy (1967) · Wonder (2017) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Beautiful Boy (2018)
More crime: A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Angst (1983) · Stolen Face (1952) · Cairo Station (1958)
