Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Frank Abagnale, Jr.	Leonardo DiCaprio	½
Carl Hanratty	Tom Hanks
Frank Abagnale	Christopher Walken	½
Roger Strong	Martin Sheen	½
Paula Abagnale	Nathalie Baye
Brenda Strong	Amy Adams	½
Jack Barnes	James Brolin
Earl Amdursky	Brian Howe
Cheryl Ann	Jennifer Garner

Review

A fascinating story, directed with a fine balance of comedy and dramatic potency by Steven Spielberg. Through Leonardo DiCaprio's enticing presence, Spielberg gives us his rendition of the life of one of the most infamous American con artists in recent times, Frank Abagnale, Jr, and he does it in a joyful, carefree fashion, venturing on a real charm offensive. Abagnale's life is presented as a roller-coaster ride, the world he lives in as a warm, naïve and sadly bygone beehive of smiling people waiting to be tricked. Catch Me If You Can thus functions as 1960s nostalgia and Frank Abagnale worship combined. But it is a remarkably stylish account of nostalgia and worship – making this one of the most elegant films Spielberg has directed in a long time. His quirky, humorous tone gives the film the necessary air beneath its wings, and DiCaprio is the perfect protagonist for the atmosphere Spielberg creates. His knack for being charismatic and witty without ever compromising the weight of the character makes Catch Me If You Can a layered and inherently entertaining, if rather gentle film. And what a delight to see Spielberg emancipated from his often dominating morality calling. Tom Hanks is a fine counterweight to DiCaprio's lead, whereas Christopher Walken gives his best performance for quite some time as the father.