Catch Me If You Can: a review from 2005

Here's one of my reviews from 2005.

Catch Me if You Can

PG-13 for crime and sex.

Based on a true story of a boy who rips off two nations, CMIYC is intriguing fare. It’s a Spielberg, so there is a lot of detail but without as much of Spielberg’s once-typical gadgetry. One can’t but help admire the chutzpah of this kid, and his marvellous mind which enables him to carry off his numerous identities.

In truth, I had little respect for Leonardo DiCaprio until this movie. He performs the age range of his character well, manages to look the “all American boy.” He has greater presence and believability than in The Man in the Iron Mask. I wonder if it is because he might be a truly nice person and is uncomfortable with playing harsh characters like the spoiled king. That, or he’s truly a jerk and can’t carry off playing himself. [I hope it’s because he’s a nice person.]

I liked Tom Hanks as the G-man. (Strange, seeing the aging of an actor. It appears he doesn’t resent his own aging and subsequent changes in casting.) Under this agent’s prickly exterior is a kind man who would be a good father if he ever got a second chance. You get the feeling he would be a good father for the lost boy who has trapped himself in his own deception. If he can only catch him.

Crime and sexual situations abound, but Spielberg does give DiCaprio heart. 

There is actually no violence! Guns, yes, some unlovely images, but no one getting shot.

DiCaprio plays substitute teacher, pilot, lawyer, MD. A few of these just don’t work well. The pilot, however, does. It’s the persona with the most screen time, and I find it effective.

Puzzling is the presence of Martin Sheen. You’d think with all his “West Wing” mileage, he’d either be a more important character or left out of the film entirely. His role as a southern lawyer amounts to a dog and pony show compared to his role as Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now. A no-name actor would have been far less of an embarrassment. But hey, actors gotta eat, too, I guess.

CMIYC is long, over two hours. I’m still trying to decide whether it glorifies or downplays dishonesty. I do not recommend it for minors, due to sex and dishonesty.