#PeopleRoundTheCorner

A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr., who, before 19 years old, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks as a pilot, doctor...

The movie is really captivating and original because the plot is atypical and then because it is the autobiography of a true faker Frank Abagnale. I have personally been impressed by sudden changes of emotions that the viewer can have during the movie. I would be tempted to say that this film is one of the best films that I have seen up to now.

Summary: On location at New Rochelle in the 1960s., Frank Abagnale Jr. 16 years student idolizes his father, who's in trouble with the "Internal Revenue Service". When his parents separate, Frank runs away to Manhattan with $25 in his checking account. He wishes to regain his parents back together. 
Just a few years later, the FBI tracks him down in France ; he's extradited, judged, and jailed because he has spent more than $4,000,000 in bad checks. He was posing as a pilot, a pediatrician, and a legal persecutor. And, from nearly the beginning of this life of crime, he's been pursued by a stern FBI agent, Carl Hanratty. Their relationship starts as cat and mouse becomes something similar to father and son...

Positive things: The plot is really interesting and astonishing even more when you consider that it is the story of a real truant because otherwise one might wonder if this plot was not too improbable.

The film is touching with the story of a young man that tries to create a new life, with the relationship between him and the police is almost like a relationship father / son.

All the actors play very well : particularly DiCaprio and Hanks who each give a personal touch to the film with a brilliant and moving interpretation.

This film is an outstanding achievement of Steven Spielberg with plans of large ensembles and with the work of different light intensities during the film. The changes of mood of the characters, atmosphere and scenery is phenomenal. The final rendering of the era of the 60s is well done, real and sets are very worked. The diversity of professions gives a nice rhythm to the film.

At last, the music composed by John Williams who comes up regularly has a beautiful melody that marks the viewer.

It seems to me that there is a good mixed of emotions in this movie : suspense, joy, laughter, sorrow... and a very good quality in the soundtrack and also visually.

Negative things: I had not real gripes about this movie, it's just maybe a little long at the end and doesn’t emphasize sufficiently on the human side of Frank Abagnale Jr. when he is eaten away by his situation with the family to 17 years old. Finally, I found that women were slightly often taken for idiots and did not have very important roles but again this situation may correspond to the period of the 1960s.

Characterization: The main character is Frank Abagnale, who is 19 years conned millions of dollars brilliantly, using fake bank checks. I reckon that this character is truly original and unique. This young man is very talented, intelligent and plays its charm several times to succeed his plans but he has a moving and sad side because of his family situation and therefore we can find him extenuating circumstances. Leonardo DiCaprio interprets its role perfectly, he gives a very moving portrayal of Frank despite his side of truant. It makes it really pay tribute to true Frank Abagnale.

Carl Hanratty is an FBI agent who pursues Frank for most of the film. Hanratty is often teased by other agents who take check fraud as a joke. Hanratty is divorced, and his daughter and ex-wife live in Chicago. In the end, Carl and Frank become great friends. We see gradually he likes Frank and is a major presence in his life, he is like a father to him and tries to protect it even if he does not want show that impression. The relationship that he has with him is really special. Tom Hanks is amazing in this role because it is both serious, loving, admiralty and angry. I was pleased to see that is always a wonderful actor in its interpretation.

We can not really relate to certain characters of the movie because it is fairly limited as a choice : a truant officer and an FBI specialist in fraud. However, the leakage of Frank face to parental situation is similar to that of many people. Also, when the parents’ divorce, the children have an abrupt change in their lives and sometimes reactions exaggerated.

The other characters are rather secondary characters, they intervene very little in the film. Christopher Walken plays the role of Frank’s father, and a World War II veteran. Frank Sr. loses his wife Paula and most of his wealth after he committed tax evasion. Frank Sr. dies after falling down a staircase in a train station. 

Nathalie Baye interprets Paula Abagnale. Frank Sr. meets her when she is 18 years old in Montrichard, France, during World War II. Five weeks later, the couple marries. They divorce when Frank Jr. is 16 years old, leaving Paula to marry Jack Barnes, with whom she has a daughter.

Amy Adams plays the role of Brenda Strong. Before becoming a nurse, Brenda had an abortion. Her strict Lutheran parents disown her, until they meet Frank Jr.

I like this movie because he based on the autobiography of Frank Abagnale and so even if the story seems absurd, it becomes very credible! Overall Catch me if you can is a fun and an interesting tale about the life of one of America’s greatest con men. This story was really entertaining, touching, cliffhanger and the adaptation by Spielberg is breathtaking. This movie composed of well-known and talented actors is just unbelievable…

A final opinion : go see THIS movie and read the novel!!!

Rating : 4,7/5 !