Catch Me If You Can

Saw Catch Me If You Can with a friend on Christmas Day.

It was somewhat an appropriate Christmas movie since some parts of the movie takes place during the various Christmas in the 1960's.

While it was inspired by a true story of a runaway teenager who forges checks and poses as a pilot, then a doctor and then a lawyer, it was a sort of a fun movie to watch.

While I knew this was a Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks movie it does have some fine performances by Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.

Comments

I want to see this for Walken, and because it's the one DiCaprio film out this season that I think I can stomach.

Of course, our "movies to see" list is pretty long as it is. I haven't even seen "LotR: The Two Towers" yet... for shame!

I saw Catch Me If You Can on Christmas day, as well. I read the book by Frank Abagnale when I was in high school, and just loved it, so I was really excited to hear that Spielberg was directing a movie "inspired" by it.

Without ruining the film for those who haven't seen it yet, I'd really really like to recommend the book. You'll find quite a few differences--much of the stuff in the movie is made-up (Abagnale never did the doctor thing OR the lawyer thing, if I remember correctly), but the story as it's told in the autobiography is exciting and fascinating enough without the Hollywood embellishments.

Additionally, the book goes into great detail about what happens after Abagnale gets caught. His adventures were only half over on the day he was finally collared--he stood trial in many different countries and then served jail time in them. As soon as one sentence was completed, Abagnale was shipped to another country where he served another sentence.

Especially fascinating is the comparison Abagnale makes between prisons and judicial systems.

So, see the movie. It's quite entertaining, it has a great soundtrack (by John Williams, but you'd never guess it!) and engaging performances. But then, go out and read the book, because it's even better!

By the way, Ryan, I've seen The Two Towers twice. It's fantastic.

By the way, Ryan, I've seen The Two Towers twice. It's fantastic.

By any chance do you want to start a new thread on The Two Towers?

If you're interested in the film, you might be interested in reading Frank Abagnale's comments on the book and movie based on his life.

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