The year 1960. A 40-minute film- Escape to Nowhere, won a local contest. It was made by a 13-year old. Three years later, this boy produced another movie- Firelight. This film made a profit of $100 at the local theatre. With only this passion, this same boy went ahead following his dreams, and is today known to the world as Steven Spielberg.
His latest movie to hit the Indian theatres is- Catch me if you can!
THE PLOT
This is the story of Frank Abagnale Jr., one of the most successful fraud cases of the United States, who operated in the 1960s. This is the story of a teenager who finds himself all alone in the big wide world when he runs away from home, unable to cope with the thought of choosing between his mom and dad, who are having a divorce. He learns to con the world in his own brilliant way and gets away with frauds of billions of dollars. He is being closely followed by the FBI agent Carl Hanratty. How Frank fools Carl, and the world, is what the film is about!
Brilliantly directed, this film is a must for everyone who are interested in true stories.
THE FILM AND THE TRUE PICTURE
It is interesting to follow the mental progress of Frank. Throughout his frauds, there is a constant undercurrent of a brilliant brain that ticks and an innocent heart that beats in his body.
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, 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.
-Frank Abagnale Jr., in his autobiography.
No doubt that a director like Spielberg was influenced by his story. As Spielberg said in an interview- There are all sorts of ways kids act out against divorce, and Frank just happened to act out in a way that was so original, it was worth making a movie about.
So, what is the real Frank Abagnale like? Leonardo Di Caprio has gone on record saying- To look at him, you wouldn’t think he could steal a postage stamp. But he has an almost unconscious way of engaging you with his eyes, with his energy and with his intelligence.
And Leo has done a marvellous job of enacting the great conman.
THE CAST AND THE CREDITS
The role of the great conman has been brilliantly played by Leonardo Di Caprio. In the movie, he is being chased by Tom Hanks as the FBI agent Hanratty. The one person whom Frank loves and respects is his father, Frank Sr., played convincingly by Christopher Walken.
The film has been produced by Walter Parkes, along with Steven Spielberg, who has also directed the movie. The music is scored by John Williams, and the cinematography and editing is done by Michael Kahn.
IN CONCLUSION
What can I say? I will just end with what supporting actor Martin Sheen said in an interview-
Frank is genuinely in love with my daughter, and we are overwhelmed by his charm, intelligence and charisma. Of course, it ends badly, but his heart was in the right place. There is no question that he’s sincere. I mean, he could never pull off the frauds that he does if he didn’t come from a foundation of honesty.
So...what are you waiting for? Go watch this movie! And yes....do write a comment before shutting this window!