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Reviews
Do 'Catch Them' This Christmas
The
world is divided into two types of people. The Good guys and the Bad guys. What
is it about them that fascinates us? Every story told revolves around that theme.
From Shakespeare to Stephen King, we have read good vs bad over and over again.
The truth is that there is no such thing. It is just a matter of your perception.
You might be a hero in one person's eye but not so in the other. But, the world
would be a boring place if we saw everyone as a hero. Wouldn't it? We always have
bad things to say about a certain someone because we don't like him/her. They
are not heroes to us. But what if you have two close friends and you care for
them equally, and they don't like each other, whose side would you be on? You
will try your best to bring these two people back together without being biased.
Wouldn't it be interesting to be in that position? This is where Spielberg puts
his audience during Catch
Me If You Can.
Based on Catch
Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of Extraordinary Liar, the film follows
the the tale of Frank Abagnale (Leonardo Di Caprio), the youngest man to be on
the FBI's "most wanted list", for a impersonations and forgeries over the period
of five years and Carl Shaye (Tom Hanks) whose job is to catch him. After directing
big-budget sci-fi epics, Spielberg directs a heart warming story full of characters,
comedy, drama and excitement. Once again, he chooses to tell a story that reflects
his past. It is a story about family dilemmas, denial, betrayal, and mostly, love
and friendship.
 After
the worldwide success of Titanic, Leonardo Di Caprio starred in The
Beach few years back which didn't stir any media hype. This year, he plays
the lead role in two films Martin Scorcese's Gangs of New York and of course
Catch Me If You Can.
As the saying goes, "casting makes 80% of your film", had it not been Di Caprio
in Frank Abagnale's role, this film would have been dry as a bone.
Personal circumstances leave Frank no other choice but to begin his new career
as a con artist. In the span of three years he goes from a pilot, to a doctor
to a lawyer. So why does he change his career path so often, you may ask, its
not because someone has caught on to him, but out of sheer boredom.
Although 28, he mimics 5 years of Abagnale's life in perfection. He is such an
outstanding actor. I am not sure why a lot of people judge him for his role in
Titanic. It wasn't him that made that film cheesy at times but his dialogues.
They just seemed so unconventional for that time period. He stars next in Universal/DreamWorks
Alexander the Great to be directed by Baz Luharman (Mouline
Rouge). Hopefully, the Academy will at least give him a nomination for his
role in Catch Me If
You Can, if not the award.
What can I say about Tom Hanks? He is probably one of the few actors in Hollywood
who can play any character in any form or shape. If you look at his career, he
has done everything from comedy to drama to sci-fi. He made his breakthrough performance
in Philadelphia 9 years ago followed by Forrest Gump. His last 4
of 5 films have been under DreamWorks banner and each of them, successful.
Hanks
plays Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent whose sole purpose is to catch Abagnale without
any bloodshed. Determined, funny and confused, Carl has ulterior motives, that
is to get even with Abagnale after their first encounter which is crafted beautifully.
It is probably the best scene in the film and builds up the relationship between
Abagnale and Carl for the rest of the film. This character is so much similar
to Turner that Hanks played in Turner & Hooch years ago.
Usually, in a cat and mouse film where we see the world through the robber's eye
or cop's, the opposite is shown somewhat evil and notorious. But here we see both
Abagnale and Carl as average human beings who are doing what they are good at.
Michael Kahn is one of the leading film editors in Hollywood and has been helping
Spielberg tell stories for over two decades now. His outstanding work has earned
him 5 Academy Award Nominations, three of which he won. Quite honestly, I think
his work in Catch
Me If You Can is the best to date. Why? Well, his films in the past two decades
have had minor mistakes here and there. I don't mean to be critical but when you
love someone's work, you have a tendency to pick out small mistakes. But in Catch
Me If You Can, his work is flawless. Here, he tells the story in two time
periods which are 5 years apart. When an editor is telling a story in two time
periods, he/she end up giving equal time to both parts. But not in this film.
That makes it even better.
John Williams score helps tell the story of Frank Abaganle in both contemprary
and old fashion manner. His score includes jazz tracks including songs from Frank
Sinatra and Judy Garland. The main theme is very similar to that of in A.I.
and Minority Report.
I didn't really like the music as much on the soundtrack but loved it with the
images on the big screen.
If
there is one person who can bring Spielberg's vision to the screen, it is Janusz
Kaminski. Discovered by the director in 1993 and collaborated on Schindler's
List as their first project, Kaminski is a unique and gifted cinematographer.
If you look at his resume, Kaminski's worlds are somewhat dark and he creates
them using his magical filters and unique color scheme. Eventhough, Catch
Me If You Can is not completely a dark film, it has various elements that
give this heart warming comical tale a dull look. The scene that stands out in
cinematography is when Frank is forced to make a choice. The use of lighting and
hand-held camera will pull you in and not let you go.
It is so difficult to choose your favorite movie when majority of them are directed
by Steven Spielberg. Every film he makes, it becomes one of his best work to date.
Spielberg hasn't done a comical and feel good film since Hook
and E.T.. I feel
Catch
Me If You Can is a cross between these two films that is full of adventure,
comedy and heart-warming moments. This will be the first Spielberg movie after
Jurassic Park that people go to see over and over again.
This is a strong film, full of entertainment that will leave you wanting more.
It has the perfect beginning, the middle and the end. If you liked My
Big Fat Greek Wedding, you will love Catch
Me If You Can. It has strong characters, enchanting story and beautiful performances.
It will probably be overlooked at the Academy Awards which is a a shame of course,
but as I said last week, film's success depends on people's reaction not what
the politically composed Academy thinks. I can't wait to see it again on the big
screen and of course on the DVD. A must see of the year.
by Jawad Mir
- Reviewer: Jawad Mir
- Score: 9 out of 10
- Added: September 30, 2007
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