|
 Catch
Me If You Can
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Garner,
Christopher Walken, Amy Adams, Martin Sheen, Frank John Hughes
and Brian Howe
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Rated: PG-13
Catch
Me If You Can is wicked cute but alas super long. I adore
Tom Hanks, who doesn't, but after about two hours of watching
him meander towards the plot, chasing Leo around the globe, I
got all sleepy-woo-woo and hit the concession stand like a rabid
Tyrannosaurus Rex awakened on an empty stomach when the house
lights finally illuminated!
We
meet a handsome young buck named Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio)
and his little family. They seem happy and functional…but
dad (Christopher- do we got time for a quick soft shoe?- Walken)
has some financial problems with the evil IRS. They are closing
in on him and the pressure starts to rock the homey family unit.
Frank
Jr. thinks he'd be best suited away from the toil and trouble
and runs away. Rather than get a legit job to support himself
he quickly learns people see what they are willing to hear. Also
that people in power, err, uniforms - particularly Pan Am pilot
uniforms- get the money, chicks and glory. You can almost see
the idea bulb blinking above the lad's head.
Of
course Frank's got no time for pesky training or years of complicated
study so he fairly simply finagles his way into a Pan Am co-pilot
position - sort of - and thus begins a lucrative career as a dapper
con man.
His
antics are instantly noticed by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom -
what can't I do - Hanks). Because
you see Frank not only poses as a pilot (and so on…), he
uses his uniform to befuddle unsuspecting debutante-like tellers
into handing him bangs of cash via forged checks. Mr.
Hanrattybobattyfoefatty runs the FBI's fraud department and wants
this clown - bad.
They meet up and start an odd kind of relationship leading ultimately
to Frank's capture….
But
CMIYC is a Steven Spielberg film so
it's beautifully shot, well acted, filled with delightful details
and, naturally, long winded. We know to just settle in for the
long haul. I have thought what is it that keeps this from being
great? Just its detail - which normally does just the opposite.
It's like, "Okay, we got it", then " We get it
already..." but yet the film still projects. Don't get me
wrong it's fun just not good enough fun.
The
highlight among the champions in the film is really Christopher
Walken. He plays Frank senior and has a glorious run of it. Christopher
brings a layered soul to a poor schmoe of a guy that got the bum
deal on life in the long run. Frank Sr. is that mamaluke that
never quite made it all come together. Walken fans will be delighted.
Leo's
his usual adorable boy-man self. He was like a little Ken doll
in all the sixties and seventies outfits they paraded him around
in. Not since Blow has one actor
donned so many runway worthy coordinates!
Tom
Hanks is just cut from that whole star-of-another-era mold so
rare today. He's not that old - but you feel like you're watching
a golden era player dole out his lines. He is - as always - just
there and impeccable.
The film's just too long and there's not enough to keep your undying
attentions. If you love Hanks or DiCaprio ya gotta go. If not?
Hmm.
Blunt
Aside: The titles designed by Agnès Deygas at the very
beginning of the film were fantastic and noteworthy!
Snack
recommendation: Sara Lee Cherry cheesecake with
dollops of mouse churned butter.
|
