- Film Review
- Reviewed By Ian Freer
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4 out of 5
After the futuristic drama of AI: Artificial Intelligence and Minority Report, director Steven Spielberg backtracks to the 1960s for this stylish slice of effortless entertainment. Leonardo DiCaprio exudes movie-star charisma as Frank Abagnale Jr who, while still a teenager, charmed and cheated his way across America, posing as an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer in order to cash forged cheques. Tom Hanks turns in a generous, unshowy supporting performance as Carl Hanratty, the dogged FBI agent who obsessively pursued the larcenous young man. Sentimentality is allowed to intrude with the depiction of Abagnale's family life, but not into Christopher Walken's superb turn as the conman's father. Despite these momentary dips in the bright and breezy feel of the piece, the deft blend of comedy and suspense, great period detail and sheer directorial class ensure that this is one of Spielberg's most purely enjoyable movies.
Plot Summary
Comedy drama, based on the true story of conman Frank William Abagnale Jr, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Shattered by the news that his parents are divorcing, 16-year-old Frank runs away to New York. For six years he lives a life of fraud, cashing over $2 million in bad cheques while impersonating an airline pilot, paediatrician and lawyer, and always staying one step ahead of tenacious FBI agent Carl Hanratty.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Frank William Abagnale Jr / Frank Taylor / Frank Conners / Barry Allen
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Carl Hanratty
- Tom Hanks
- Frank William Abagnale Sr
- Christopher Walken
- Roger Strong
- Martin Sheen
- Paula Abagnale
- Nathalie Baye
- Brenda Strong
- Amy Adams
- Jack Barnes
- James Brolin
- Tom Fox
- Brian Howe
- Cheryl Ann
- Jennifer Garner
- Marci
- Ellen Pompeo
- Lucy
- Elizabeth Banks (2)
- French policeman
- Frank W Abagnale
Crew
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
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