Catch Me if You Can
#1
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Catch Me if You Can
Just got back from seeing this and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a wonderful story to be told and the payoff is very satisfying.
Spielberg has created a pristine aura with this film - and it fits perfectly. All cast members do a wonderful job and this is the perfect role for DiCaprio - unlike his miscast lead in Gangs of New York.
My only complaint with this film is that it is never fully explained why Frank Abagnale Jr. acts the way he does. Why can't he just go through the routine and live a normal life or is it the thrill of the chase that drives him to do what he does?
What are your thoughts?
Spielberg has created a pristine aura with this film - and it fits perfectly. All cast members do a wonderful job and this is the perfect role for DiCaprio - unlike his miscast lead in Gangs of New York.
My only complaint with this film is that it is never fully explained why Frank Abagnale Jr. acts the way he does. Why can't he just go through the routine and live a normal life or is it the thrill of the chase that drives him to do what he does?
What are your thoughts?
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Re: Catch Me if You Can
Originally posted by Geofferson
Why can't he just go through the routine and live a normal life or is it the thrill of the chase that drives him to do what he does?
What are your thoughts?
Why can't he just go through the routine and live a normal life or is it the thrill of the chase that drives him to do what he does?
What are your thoughts?
#4
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Re: Re: Catch Me if You Can
Originally posted by adumbc
If you can recall that seen at the airport near the end with just Hanks and DiCaprio, that pretty much answers your question.
If you can recall that seen at the airport near the end with just Hanks and DiCaprio, that pretty much answers your question.
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I also really enjoyed it. A fun movie about a clever guy with very good performances.
It's nice to see a director just tell a good story.
It's nice to see a director just tell a good story.
Spoiler:
Last edited by Ralph Wiggum; 12-26-02 at 02:25 AM.
#9
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I was sort of bored by the structure of the film, even though it does a good job of recreating the 1960's, a time where a lot of this was indeed possible, but nowadays, it it wouldn't make for as entertaining story.
I think the problem with the film is that the characters seem much more 2-dimensional than they should. But the acting is good overall with both Dicaprio and Hanks doing a good job with the material they are given.
Also, I wasn't all that crazy about the blown-out back lighting of a lot of the scenes in the film. I know it was a stylistic choice, but it didn't really serve the story for me.
I also think the film is too long (140 minutes is too long for the subject matter of the film, I think 20-30 minutes could've been trimmed while retaining the resolution of the film).
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
I think the problem with the film is that the characters seem much more 2-dimensional than they should. But the acting is good overall with both Dicaprio and Hanks doing a good job with the material they are given.
Also, I wasn't all that crazy about the blown-out back lighting of a lot of the scenes in the film. I know it was a stylistic choice, but it didn't really serve the story for me.
I also think the film is too long (140 minutes is too long for the subject matter of the film, I think 20-30 minutes could've been trimmed while retaining the resolution of the film).
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
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I really liked the movie. Doesn't move as much as Minority Report but it's not really an action movie. It's an "adventure" movie. And I feel that the characters were well fleshed out by the end of the movie. It's like a good book. Not everything is revealed at the beginning.
As for the hazy, backlighting: I think that a lot of 60's films (e.g. "Born On The Fourth of July," "We Were Soldiers") have that same kind of lighting and it's just become indicative of the time period. I really feel Janusz Kaminski filmed this one more conservatively than the previous "A.I." or "Minority Report."
DiCaprio and Hanks did a great job in their lead roles. Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen are also good in their supporting roles.
I also noticed in the end credits, that Frank W. Abagnale (Jr.) appears as a French policeman! I wonder which one he was?
As for the hazy, backlighting: I think that a lot of 60's films (e.g. "Born On The Fourth of July," "We Were Soldiers") have that same kind of lighting and it's just become indicative of the time period. I really feel Janusz Kaminski filmed this one more conservatively than the previous "A.I." or "Minority Report."
DiCaprio and Hanks did a great job in their lead roles. Jennifer Garner, Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen are also good in their supporting roles.
I also noticed in the end credits, that Frank W. Abagnale (Jr.) appears as a French policeman! I wonder which one he was?
#14
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The wife and I just saw it. I liked it a lot. Leo was great as Frank (this role was made for him) and Tom Hanks wasn't too bad either (I thought his accent was pretty decent most of the time). Excellent supporting cast, particularly Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen. Spielberg and Co. did a good job, this movie really appeared like it was made in the sixties.
No complaints on my end, but the wife thought it was a little too long (140 minutes or so) and started to drag towards the end.
No complaints on my end, but the wife thought it was a little too long (140 minutes or so) and started to drag towards the end.
#17
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Originally posted by jarofclay73
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
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I read the book, and while I enjoyed it, I was a bit nervous about the movie... the book was very one sided and I wasn't sure how it'd translate...well, I needn't have worried.
The film is a fantasic ride. It was funny, touching and moved at a great pace. I did NOT think it was too long, I didn't find anything dragged....it all added to the wonderful colourful characters in the film... certainly not a 'heavy' picture, this was some of the most fun I've had at the theatre recently.
I think just about anyone can enjoy this film and it HIGHLY ENJOYABLE.
MATT
p.s. It should be said I have a huge love of Spielberg, which may make my review slightly biased.
The film is a fantasic ride. It was funny, touching and moved at a great pace. I did NOT think it was too long, I didn't find anything dragged....it all added to the wonderful colourful characters in the film... certainly not a 'heavy' picture, this was some of the most fun I've had at the theatre recently.
I think just about anyone can enjoy this film and it HIGHLY ENJOYABLE.
MATT
p.s. It should be said I have a huge love of Spielberg, which may make my review slightly biased.
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In answer to Geofferson's question about why Frank acts the way he does, for me there was a simple answer:
He wanted to please his father (Christopher Walken) and prove that he was a "success." He just couldn't stand the kind of failure that his father went though.
He wanted to please his father (Christopher Walken) and prove that he was a "success." He just couldn't stand the kind of failure that his father went though.
#22
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Originally posted by jarofclay73
I also noticed in the end credits, that Frank W. Abagnale (Jr.) appears as a French policeman! I wonder which one he was?
I also noticed in the end credits, that Frank W. Abagnale (Jr.) appears as a French policeman! I wonder which one he was?
Spoiler:
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Looks like I'm the only person who didn't like this movie. First of all it was way too long. Very boring and drug out. I also couldn't understand how everyone in the theatre was laughing the whole time. I only found a few parts funny. The prayer scene at his fiance's house was very cliche and done worse than most other scenes like that I've seen before (meet the parents, etc.). Much of it seemed far-fetched and I highly doubt that the real Abegnale had such success at making fools of the FBI so many times and for so long. I didn't really like the structure of the film (but I don't really know what would have worked better). The only part I really liked was the opening credits. It had a Pink Panther feel to it and the music made me think it might be like a HItchcock film or perhaps like Charade. Too bad it wasn't. I don't see what was so special about Leo's performance. It didn't seem like it would have been too dificult to play. Also, what the heck kind of accent was Tom Hanks supposed to be using? I couldn't figure it out. Anyhow, I don't recommend this film and give it 1 star out 4. Too bad, I thought it would be good.
#24
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I saw it last night and thought it was a decent movie, nothing special. A few chuckles, a few moments that got me very interested to see the outcome, but nothing that really stood out that would make me watch it again or buy the dvd.
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i liked it, wasnt blown away but did enjoy it in general. it had a few slow moments but i do agree that the filmmakers did a great job recreating the 60s. as for why he acted the way he did, i understood it to be him acting like his father. his dad was his role model and he saw that charm, flattery, dazzlment, etc. could go a long way. he also wanted to save him from failure and help get his mom back. great performances by dicap and walken but hanks' accent really bothered me. i was curious what happened to all the real abagnale "victims" (the debutante, the stewardesses, etc.)
Last edited by hgar78; 12-28-02 at 01:57 PM.