Catch Me If You Can on DVD

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The Story Of A Real Fake
The film “Catch Me, If You Can” is the true story of a real fake. This is one of the best con-artist films I have seen in a long time. The film, based on a true story, stars Leonardo DeCaprio (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and “Titanic”) playing Frank W. Abagnale, an accomplished con artist from the 1960’s.

Today, the real Frank W. Abagnale is one of the world’s most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlements and secure documents. Between the ages of 16 and 21, Abagnale successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a college professor and a pediatrician. As a result he cashed in $2.5 million in the United States and 26 foreign countries during this five-year period.

When he was 21 years old, he was apprehended by the French police and ended up serving time in prison in France, Sweden and in the United States. Abagnale was released from jail only under the condition that he would teach and assist US law agencies in apprehending other forgers.

When asked about his career as a con artist, Abagnale said, “It begins with my parents’ divorce and its dramatic effect on me. I ran away and suddenly found myself a teenager alone in the world.

“I had to grow up very quickly and become very creative in order to survive. But what started out as survival became more and more of a game.

“I was an opportunist, so when I saw an opening I asked myself, ‘Could I get away with that?’ Then there was the satisfaction of actually getting away with it. The more I got away with it, the more of a game it became – a game I knew I would ultimately lose, but a game I was going to have fun playing until I did." Abagnale ended up being a consultant on the film.

Tom Hanks plays Abagnale’s dogged pursuer, Carl Hanratty, whom he describes as “an FBI agent who takes great pride in working areas like bank fraud, forgeries and check kiting.” Hanks’ performance as an actor is, as always, quite believable.

Oftentimes, when an actor plays so many major roles, it becomes difficult to disregard the actor and become immersed with the character being portrayed. Through Hanks’ extraordinary talent, characters become the focus of attention. As an example, for not one moment did I think I was watching Forest Gump or Tom Hanks as he plays the ultimate bureaucrat in this Stephen Spielberg directed film.

Spielberg (“E.T.” and “Raiders Of The Lost Ark”) has directed, produced, or executive produced eight of the 30 top-grossing films of all time.

Spielberg has received three Oscars — two Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture for “Schindler’s List” and a third Oscar for Best Director for “Saving Private Ryan.”

“Schindler’s List” ended up receiving five additional Oscars and became 1994’s most honored film.

“Catch Me, If You Can” is enjoyable while being both fast paced and relaxing. I found the film even more intriguing when I discovered it was based on a true story. I give this film high marks — definitely worth seeing.

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