Viewed in
2010, 2011
Formats
DVD
Premise
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale, America's notorious check forger. Based on Abagnale's autobiography.
Loved
DiCaprio's acting.
Liked
The interesting story.
Thoughts
A very well-acted, light-hearted crime drama.
Sometimes I take good acting for granted. While this was not a serious, or an "Oscar" movie, I was amazed by how effortless DiCaprio's performance was as the smart, manipulative, charming, but ultimately lonely, idealistic con artist. While his character never admitted it, you could feel his character's deep familial pains even when he was at his "richest".
The rest of the cast was equally impressive in star power and teamwork. While Tom Hanks probably got the top billings in marketing, he was intentionally toned down (as the FBI agent in pursuit), as to not usurp the acting pecking order. Christopher Walken played merely an slightly eccentric dad. An undiscovered Amy Adams played the love interest.
I thought the story was very interesting. It had a mix of cat-and-mouse, history, and character-driven moments. My favorite moments were Abagnale at his lying best. Part of it has to do with the fact that he was never a monster. I could not help but love this scrappy kid for using his wits and improvisations, instead of weapons or fear, to get away with all his riches. The film smartly contrasted them with his yearnings to patch his family together.
What prevented it from being great was the lack of an emotional climax. The last family scenes were supposed to have some payoff, but I did not feel much. I think it failed because the truths of his pain was repetitious pronounced throughout the film, and the key scenes felt predictable. A great drama does not have to make me cry, but I should feel something when it wants me to.
Still this flaw was dwarfed by Leonardo DiCaprio's acting, the film's cast, and the engrossing story. It was kind of refreshing to see a crime drama that did not end in death and tragedy.
What I would change
Marketed it as a drama instead of a comedy.
Personal
I was amused to see 24's Tim Woods as one of Hanks' colleagues.
