CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Walken, Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner, Martin Sheen, James Brolin, Nathalie Baye, Ellen Pompeo, Nick Zano

Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Written By: Jeff Natahnson
Based On The Book: Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story Of The Youngest And Most Daring Con-Man In The History Of Fun And Profit. By Frank Abegnale Jr. & Stan Redding
Cinematography By: Janusz Kaminski
Original Score: John Williams
Editor: Michael Kahn

Not the usual Spielberg film or it doesn’t feel like it not as usually overblown as a typical spielberg film. Though it is nostalgic and fun filled and breezy. Dealing with a boy who has to grow up fast.

A con man whose only real wish is to make his father proud and get his parents back together and with all the feats he is successful with. That is the only one that is impossible.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a revelation especially in his scenes while the cons are finally taking there toll on him. Where he doesn’t know who he really is anymore. What he actually likes and he really sells the performance when he escapes and see’s his mothers new family and you can see the childlike wonder in his eyes until his heart truly breaks. It’s a good thing because Johnny depp was the first choice to play the role but watching it he would look to old to play the role.

At one point Gore Verbinski (The Pirates Of The Caribbean) was slated to direct but with delays on “Gangs Of New York” taking so long he had to drop out so did James Gandolfini who was slated to play tom hanks role originally since he had to go back to film “The Sopranos” Also set ot appear in the film were Ed Harris as Leo’s Father And Chloe Sevingy Probably slated to play Amy Adams Eventual role. Even before spielberg took over as director he was only slated to produce he considered Cameron Crowe (Vanilla Sky), Lasse Hallstrum (The Ciderhouse Rules) and David Fincher (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button) It’s good Steven Spielberg took it as it is one of my favorite films by him.

The vivid elementary of the cons and the escapes are visually stimulting without going overboard.

Though Tom Hanks accent is a little overbearing he and the rest of the cast do excellent work supporting the star while making definite impression of there own. Christopher Walken is good playing a normal human being for once. Not over the top and actually warm which is rare for him.

I had pre-concieved notions going to the theater to see it but I figured my friend read the book it was based on and said it was good. Even though the trailer looked iffy that was good material to base the film on. I figured at least Christopher Walken is in it and it should be a good warm up performance from Leonardo DiCarpio before his sure to be good performance in “Gangs Of New York” that was due out later that month. If only I knew this was going to be the film I enjoyed more. It Blew me away with how much I liked it/ I Was a DiCaprio fan early in his career before “Titanic” made me alienate him as he achieved world wide success. I Didn’t want to be part of the popular film quotient plus teenage girls loved him so much. Though I still did see “The Beach” this is the film that reassured my faith in him

This is definitely a must see. In fact a must buy.

GRADE: A

OSCAR NOMINATIONS:
Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Walken
Best Orignal Music Score - John Williams