 "The Extras and Book are Better" | 2009-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2M11ZUOD1ZLDT |
This movie deserves a three, but the DVD extras are so good, it gets a four. I read the book that this is based on, and that may have been my problem. I was expecting too much. I am not a fan of Leo, but I do quite enjoy Chris Walken, I think he is great in this role. However the movie tends to be a slow plodding homage to the era when the events take place. The story of how a 18 year old kid turned into the one of the greatest non violent con men in American history seems to take a backseat to Steven Spielberg's infatuation with the era. What is missing is the breezy carefree attitude that Mr. Abagnale expressed so easily in the book. The film tries to hard to be moralistic. I guess I was just expecting more when such a talented group of film makers and actors too on a great book like this.
About the DVD: I got this DVD for my birthday and watched disc one almost immediately, and was left disappointed, it took a few months for me to dig this out and take a look at disc two. It is loaded and is imminently more interesting than the film. There are 5 vignettes on the supplemental disc that are all worth your time. Especially the retrospective on the real Frank Abagnale. I found myself engrossed in the features and actually started to like the movie more by what I saw on disc two. I would suggest this as just a rental
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| "Historical, Tragic, and Comical" | 2009-08-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YB29BIDULEYE |
This is an interesting movie in that it is not only based on something historical, but it combines tragedy and comedy rather well.
Very quickly, we see that Frank Jr loves both his parents. And they appear to be a well off functional family. Later, a financial crisis hits, and their living standards are reduced drastically. He still loves both his parents, but we can see that he is starting to lean towards his father. After he realizes that they are getting divorced, he can't handle it and runs away. A gem of comedy from Frank Sr. (Christopher Walken) is when he tries to make Frank Jr's decision as to who he will live with easier: "Frank, just put my name down."
After this tragic beginning, the comedy kicks in. Frank Jr. goes from being financially wrecked to financially stuffed. First he impersonates a pilot. At this point, the FBI agent Tom Hanks comes in. While the movie leads us into cheering for Frank Jr., it does NOT make the mistake of allowing us to hate the Tom Hanks character. (We are also permitted a moment of sympathy for him when he realizes his team is not exactly an 'elite squad.') Tom Hanks and Frank Jr. cross, but Frank Jr. avoids capture. (This is when Frank Jr. starts taunting Tom Hanks with telephone calls.)
Frank Jr. then goes on to impersonate a doctor. At this point tensions are released. Tom Hanks has lost thew trail; and Frank Jr. meets a woman who he may want to spend his life with. A small unbelievable element here is that Frank Jr. and she jump ship just when Tom Hanks has picked up the trail again.
Moving on, Frank Jr. decides it is time to impersonate a lawyer now. At this point he is tired from running, but too late he realizes that you can't just steal $4,000,000. and call a truce. It is worth noting that if Tom Hanks had not seen Frank Jr's face, Frank Jr. may have had a chance to go back to a normal life.
The deception is understandably starting to wear Frank Jr. down, and in a comical manner, he slips under the FBI agents and makes his way to Europe. If I say much more, I'll probably ruin the movie for those of you who haven't seen it.
I'll just say it is an interesting end with elements of both sorrow and reconciliation. All in all, it's an interesting combination of history, tragedy, and comedy. |
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 "An enjoyable happy movie" | 2009-05-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A7TLE37S824PZ |
| This is a great movie to watch for several reasons. First, it's an upbeat story of how an FBI agent helps a young man turn his life around from a life of crime to becoming a productive member of society. Second, the musical sound track is one of John Williams' best -- the movie is worth watching just for the sound track alone. Third, the performances of the cast are excellent: Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale, the young man, Tom Hanks as the FBI agent, Christopher Walken and Nathalie Baye as Frank's parents, Amy Adams as Frank's fiance, Martin Sheen as Amy's character's father, and even Frank Abagnale himself, in a brief cameo as the French policeman in charge of arresting Frank when Frank is finally caught. Finally, the production design and cinematography are excellent. This is a movie that you can watch repeatedly and enjoy every time. |
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| "Real life is better than fiction" | 2009-04-20 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2ZW820JHF3VZA |
| This film was recommended to me. I was not disappointed. It is incredible to think that there are real people out there that are this clever (a bit scary too). The most amazing thing was to find that his life of crime was so exceptional, that he was able to use his knowledge for good later. An amazing true story and a "must see". |
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| "Great, but....." | 2009-02-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2BOEM9WMH6S5E |
| This movie is good in many ways because it is true to an actual event that fooled many people. Much time was spent to reconstruct the time elements of the movie to make it seem realistic. But...because of the sexual scene, I wouldn't want to show it to my grandkids. Too bad Hollywood seems bend on including such things in otherwise good family movies. All unnecessary. |
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| "Pretty Interesting Look At An Impersonator" | 2009-02-03 |
| - Reviewed By ccthemovieman |
This is kind of an odd story, another one of those based-on-a-true life tales. This was hyped up a little too much when it came out so I expected more than what the film delivered. However, it was still a decent yarn about a kid who impersonated people in different professions and forged checks along the way. He did all of this in his teenage years.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays his normal cocky role while Tom Hanks is the straight- and-narrow looking FBI man on his trail. Although not a tense thriller, the movie holds the viewer's interest throughout the 2 hours and 20 minutes with the last half hour being the most interesting, capped off by a satisfying ending.
The only thing I didn't enjoy watching was DiCaprio (as "Frank Abagnale") taking advantage of genuinely-nice girls. This guy was no hero, believe me. |
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