I would have to say that I gobble up any films that are based on true stories especially when they give the real life people a cameo role. This is often secretly hidden and is more of a 'did you know?' kind of fact. For example recently I discovered that in The Pursuit of Happyness (staring Will Smith as Chris Gardner) the real Chris Gardner walks across the screen in the final frame as Will Smith turns to see him reflecting what he will become in the future. A very subtle trick but if you know it's there it makes a lot of difference. It adds more depth to any film. Catch Me If You Can is another example in which the main character, being Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. is played by a young looking Leonardo DiCaprio, but if you look closely you see that the real Frank has been given a cameo role as a police officer in the French scenes. I think it is a fantastic addition to a true-story film.
Leonardo DiCaprio on set with the real Frank Abagnale Jr.
An American film, released in 2002 and staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, Catch Me If You Can tells the real story of how Frank William Abagnale, Jr. poses as a PANAM air pilot, a lawyer and a doctor, forging checks and making $2.5 million over 26 different countries all before the age of 21. The film presents the chase by Carl Hanratty, an FBI check fraud agent (Tom Hanks) as he tries to track down Frank in an intelligent drama with moments of comedic wit. It also stars Christopher Walken, as Frank's father, for which his performance earned him a BAFTA for best supporting actor amongst many others.
The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, starts off with a recreation of the 70's TV show To Tell The Truth where the real Frank Jr. actually appeared in 1977. We are then flashed back to the past and the real story starts when Frank Jr. and his parents are forced to move from their lavish home to a small flat due to Frank Sr. being denied a business loan. At this time Frank Jr. starts at a new high school where his faking antics begin as he pretends to be a substitute teacher, unrecognised for two weeks. As he returns home from school one day he finds his parents filling papers for divorce. Frank Jr., faced with the hard decision of which parent to live with, decides to run, to a new life of frauds, faking and forgery.
I very much enjoyed this film, and both leads do a tremendous job as presenting themselves as the real life people. It is a very bright, intelligent film that proves as both entertaining and satisfying to watch. This is what the real Frank had to say about Catch Me If You Can on his website:
"I am honored that Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks participated in the making of the movie inspired by my life."
Frank Abagnale wrote the book, of the same name, prior to the film and then went on to sell the film rights in 1980. Catch Me If You Can has also appeared on Broadway as a musical.
