Hey guys! Sorry I'm late on the post, again. I have a feeling that I'm most likely never
Catch Me If You Can. I am so embarrassed to admit that I have owned this movie for a while and I haven't watched it once. This was the first time I've actually seen this film. I also have a feeling I shoulnd't have watched it super late at night after a really long day, not to mention week.
going to post film club on Wednesday like I'm supposed to. I'll still try but I figure as long as I get it up I'm good. Anyway, this week's selection was
Catch Me If You Can
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christoper Walken
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Screenplay By: Jeff Nathanson
Based Off Of: autobiography of Frank Abagnale Jr.
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Crime
Year: 2002
Description from IMDb: A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr., who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.
Synopsis: The Abagnale family has the perfect life until one day a conflict with the IRS leaves them bankrupt. Frank Abagnale always taught his son to be an honest man even though he might not be completely honest himself. With the downturn being too much for Frank and his wife, she files for divorce leaving Frank Jr. to choose between them. Instead of dealing with the pressure, he runs away as fast as he can and doesn't look back. Falling into a life of luxury by cons, Frank goes through several "occupations," his most notable a PanAm pilot.
Getting caught up, Frank realizes what he wants most is to settle down and have a family, something he lost and desperately wanted back. Along the way, his financial fraud schemes put him on the FBI's radar, especially Agent Carl Hanratty. Carl searches nationwide for Frank but he always seems to be a few steps behind.
Catch Me If You Can is a story about a boy conning his way through life all because he wants things to go back to the way they used to be: a happy family with a comfortable financial sitation. It turns into a game of cat and mouse, Carl ending up more like the cartoon character Tom than anything. Will Carl catch Frank? Will Frank get what he was looking for?
Review: I don't know why but I have always had high expectations for this film. I feel like I saw a trailer on TV a really long time ago and I just thought this movie was going to be amazing. Let me tell you something, it was so long. Leo was amazing as usual and Tom Hanks was hilarious. I loved all the random celebrity cameos like Martin Sheen, Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner. I had no idea there were so many great people in this film, even for small parts. Maybe it was because I watched this after a particularly long week but it felt like it was never going to end. I honestly think they could have made it shorter.
The chase could have been a little more enticing. I felt like this film was more of a desciption of the con years of Frank Jr.'s life which, interesting at first, got boring by the end. I wanted a bit more of a conflict and a struggle. There really wasn't much of one at all. I have no qualms about the acting. I don't even really know who's part I have a problem with, just that it seemed to drag on forever. I think the screenplay could have been written better with a little more suspense. I was only taken by surprise once and it was the most entertaining part of the film.
Overall I give this 3/5 stars. It's an ok film. I'm not recommending it but I don't want to keep you from seeing it either. Just make sure to watch it when you are well rested so you don't want to go to sleep half-way through.
The next film for this month's theme of Leonardo DiCaprio movies is
Gangs of New York. I have heard nothing but great things about this film so I'm really excited. It's another I haven't seen with him. Hope to see you next week and remember to link
up with The Daily Frenchie!