Hey folks, Harry here with a trio of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN reviews for ya. Moriarty is working up his review right now, and he says that it's Steven's best since... well, I'm not gonna cock block his review, but he likes it very very much. This holiday season is something to love, if you're not a Trek fan! Here ya go... By the way, we all have to hate Eye-Spy here... Not only did he see CATCH ME IF YOU CAN first, but he's also seeing one of the most beautiful famous redheaded girls in the world. The bastard! Here ya go...
Harry-
Eye-Spy here, shaking out my trench coat to serve you up a heap of figgy pudding in a short but sweet review of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, with further holiday givings landing beneath the gilded boughs of my Chanukah Bush in the form of a follow-up Q&A with Mr. Spielberg himself, dropping tidbits of his upcoming schedule including "a little film" with Tom Hanks and the other low-budget, sure to be shot on MINI-DV PAL, teensy-weensy little project known as "Indy 4".
I read the excellent script for this film about a year ago and was very excited to see what would become of it. I am always first in-line at a Spielberg film. I had an early birthday party trip to ET, Jaws kept me out of the swimming pool for a summer (because, as we all know, sharks do have the magic powers to swim up out of the drain in the deep end!), I know Raiders by heart, etc... You get the drift. His latest films have taken a turn since he made Schindler. Some have said for the worse. I say for the adult. It's a long conversation, but I knew going into this that I was going to see a film by a different director than the one who made the films mentioned above. I liked/didn't love Minority Report. Still don't get A.I. (not for lack of trying!). And now we've got Catch Me If You Can. Where does it fall in the canon of films listed above?
As I know you have a special place in your great heart for crafty title sequences, let me start by saying that the opening creds of this film will keep your yule log firm and bright through the holiday season. In my humble opinion, these are the best titles I have seen in recent memory. A tip of the cap to the great Saul Bass, with a their own unique flavor. Truly a treat.
The film opens with Frank Abagnale jr. (DiCaprio) being extradited from France back to the US by Carl Hanratty (Hanks). "Giving away the end" as it were, is Spielberg/Jeff Nathansan's way of saying that yes, this is a chase film, but it is not about a chase, it is about the people involved in the chase. It is about what drives them to run and what drives them to follow. Most importantly (and successfully!) it is about the relationship formed between the two while chase goes on.
I'm not one for spoilers or giving away the plot (especially since they're both the same thing!) and I'll assume that everyone's seen the trailers. Suffice to say that DiCaprio turns in a charming, endearing, multi-layered performance that I feel is his best since Gilbert Grape. He's smooth, heartbroken, charming and does a great job of taking a larger-than-life character with balls the size of cantaloupes, and letting us see through the cracks to the lonely, often terrified kid inside who is only trying to live up the failed dreams of his father (played in a home run performance by Christopher Walken, finally in a role that plays against type to great effect!!!).
Hanks delivers his usual layered performance, and for the second film in a row plays against type in a reserved, small-moment performance that I found I enjoyed more than his role in Road To Perdition, simply because he's playing a much more human, accessible character. The rest of the cast are well cast and played, especially the lovely Nathalie Baye as Frank's mother, and Brian Howe and Frank John Hughes as Hanks' Laurel and Hardy-look-alike sidekicks.
Catch Me If You Can is the funniest Spielberg film to date. The humor is light and comes with a wink offered to the audience as a coconspirator. The bulk of the humor derives from the people who fall unwittingly into Abignale's net. We're in on the jokes because we're in on the scams. I won't give away the Jennifer Garner scene, but it's perfectly written by Nathanson.
What didn't I like??? There's not a whole lot to pooh-pooh. It's didn't knock my knickers off like ET and RAIDERS, but it's not that kind of film. It's one of those: "If I didn't know this was a true story, I'd never have believed it." kind of deals that's just plain fun. I wager that critics will shine to it and that there will be several nominations for the cast (Walken!!!!).
Now, onto the Q&A...
Spielberg really comes across as a humble, gentle man who simply loves everything about making movies. As to his future plans, he offered that he's working on a project that he's "not ready to talk about in public" but that should shoot this summer. After that, he and Tom Hanks have been talking about a "small film" they would make together next fall, followed in 2004 by our favorite whip-cracking archaeologist, for a release in 2005 (confirming Moriarty's earlier post - and yes, Darabont is sequestered away writing the script as we speak).
Sean Connery does have a small part in the story, though it remains to be seen if they can get him to commit for a price. He wouldn't go into plot but did let slip that it takes place in the 1950's because, "Let's face it. Harrison Ford is no spring chicken."
A Merry Happy to all.
Eye-Spy
PS. As always, our favorite redhead girl says to send you her best. She just finished a lead in an indie San Francisco flick called "Happily Even After" with Jason Behr and Marina Black. I had her home for 4 days before she took off again to shoot a pilot in Vancouver. It's tough dating the perfect woman, but I love her to death. Happy Holidays from both of us!!!
Harry here, I'm ecstatic at these reviews... Seeing a Spielberg film full of life and vitality instead of artificiality is something I'm very keen on. Give the man his own brand of Havanas I say!
Hi Harry & co.
Never had a review posted, but still a big fan of your legendary site.
I saw Catch Me If You Can last night that was followed by a satellite Q & A session with Spielberg himself.
The film is a great departure for Spielberg in terms of style. This is an interesting story that could have been mundane in the hands of someone else, but in his hands, Leo Di Caprio is a revelation (I bet his acting in this is better than GONY). At one point he impersonates Bond in Goldfinger and boy, does he do a great job. His persuer Tom Hanks is as ever reliable. likeable and puts in a fun, subtle performance. The real revelation in this film is Christopher Walken, who plays Leo's suffering dad. He just plays a dad, not a gangster or a FatBoy Slim video dancer, just a father. Chris is brilliant and I hope he gets recognition for this. Much respect goes to the performances of supporting actors Martin Sheen and Jennifer Garner as a high class hooker who gets swindled.
The film is refreshing because Spielberg is not working with ILM, Stan Winston or Michael Lanteri. It is pure nuts and bolts, acting and location work. The title credits are amazing and evoke Saul Bass a la "Man with the Golden Arm." John Williams jazzy score is a welcome change.
It is a great cat and mouse style film based on an incredible story.
If this film is not recognised at the Oscars etc it doesn't matter, because it shows a film maker still willing to take risks when he doesn't have to, but still having the gift for entertaining a mass audience.
At the Q & A session, Spielberg mentioned that he looked at various Tony Curtis/Rock Hudson 1960's films and his own 8mm/16mm films for inspiration to evoke that era. He talked about always wanting to use film as opposed to digital to make his movies. He mentioned how he rates Sodebergh, particularly Traffic.
If you post this, please call me Max Caddyshack.
And the Muffin Man, yes, The Muffin Man, oh no, Yup, the Muffin Man... Where's a glass of milk to drown the bastard in? Looks like CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is golden, eh? Here ya go...
Hi Harry!
Caught a screening of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN in London last night. It's 2 hours and twenty minutes of sheer joy. Everyone involved seems to be on best form for this chase/caper movie especially Christopher Walken. In a Q & A by satellite link up after the screening Spielberg told us Walken wanted to play a 'normal' character and tone down his infamous histrionic acting style. Walken turns in a performance that should guarantee a nomination nod next Feb.
The film strikes the right balance between the light, frothy feel of classic 60's caper movies with some intense drama and sense of loss.
The production design is gorgeous with the period lovingly recreated in every detail. But one of the highlights of the film is the title sequence. It's a fantastic homage to the animated title sequences of the 60's by Saul Bass, Maurice Binder and dePatie Freleng Amongst the many 'homage' moments of the movie watch out for the hilarious James Bond/ Connery skit.
Spielberg, Hanks, DiCaprio & Walken have given us a really enjoyable Christmas present. Between this movie, GANGS, Two Towers and CHICAGO we truly are being spoilt this Christmas.
Call me the Muffin Man
