Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken

Movies based on real events usually make good movies because they are typically more believable. Like Goodfellas. Sure it was well made, but the fact that it was based on events that actually happened made it so much better, because you didn’t have to invoke your “Suspension of disbelief” reflex. And that’s the category that this movie fell into. It’s a decent movie that is made even better by the fact that it actually happened.

It was a much better movie that I thought it would be. I liked both Hanks and DiCaprio, but both needed to work on their accents (especially Hanks…where the hell was he supposed to be from??). I found it interesting that the way DiCaprio’s character watched TV shows to determine how to act in each profession he was faking. Maybe I should start taking notes when I watch CSI, in case I decide that I want to become a fake crime scene investigator. I did find it a bit hard to believe that DiCaprio is supposed to be 16 years old.

It was a bit interesting to see how the FBI treated DiCaprio. Every time they were going into a hotel room or home to arrest him, they came out with their guns drawn. Why is that?? It’s not like he was a murderer or something like that. Do you really need your guns drawn when apprehending a teenaged kid who forged a few checks?? And the fact that the FBI had such a hard time catching a teenager who was using TV programs to scam people doesn’t really paint a good picture for the government. (Especially since they lose him on a plane WHILE IT’S IN FLIGHT.)

There were a few things that I didn’t understand. Maybe some of my readers can answer some of these questions for me. Like:

What the hell was up with Jennifer Gardner’s character?? Was she supposed to be a hooker or just trying to get some money out of DiCaprio?? I thought he said that she was on the cover of some modeling magazine. Do all models become hookers if they don’t make it in the modeling world?? I just don’t get her character.

What was with the label peeling?? Was there some deeper purpose or meaning to that quirk of his that I missed??

Why was he put in maximum security prison in solitary confinement?? Again, he’s a 17 year-old check forger. Does he really need to be punished that way??

Can someone please explain the “two mice in a bucket of cream” story to me?? What the hell is that about??

When were airline pilots treated like rock stars?? I have never had the urge to get an autograph from a pilot.

Even with the few questions I had and the few minor problems with the movie (No way DiCaprio passes as 16 and the horrible accents), this was a pretty good movie made even better by the fact that it really happened.