Actors - Catch Me If You Can

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	Actors - Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 motion picture set in the 1960s. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and adapted by Jeff Nathanson loosely from the book by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding.

The movie states that it was inspired by the true life story of Abagnale; the movie diverges somewhat from the real events as reported in Abagnale's book on his exploits.

It is also arguably Spielberg's most offbeat film. The film was a critical and commerical success and is known for John Williams' score and its unique title sequence which was popular enough to be parodied on The Simpsons.

Tagline: The true story of a real fake.

Movie plot

The film dramatizes the true story of a teenaged con man who stole over $2.5 million through forgery and other frauds, throughout a crime career lasting six years from 1963 to 1969. The film diverges from the protagonist's actual life story for dramatic effect. According to the movie, Frank's impersonations typically served to gain him temporary prestige, as an airline pilot, doctor, or lawyer, as well as aiding him in cashing forged checks. He was caught by the FBI in 1969, and got his sentence reduced by agreeing to assist FBI's bank fraud division in detecting forgeries and advising on countermeasures.

Frank William Abagnale Jr. is the son of Frank William Abagnale and Paula Abagnale. Paula Abagnale was born in Montrichard, France.

Awards

The movie was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score (John Williams) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Christopher Walken).

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio
- Frank William Abagnale Jr.
Tom Hanks
- Carl Hanratty
Christopher Walken
- Frank William Abagnale (father)
Martin Sheen
- Roger Strong
Nathalie Baye - Paula Abagnale, Frank's mother
Amy Adams
- Brenda Strong
James Brolin
- Jack Barnes
Jennifer Garner
- Cheryl Ann

Trivia

from IMDB.com: The concluding part of Spielberg's unofficial "running man" trilogy, which started with Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) and continued with Minority Report (2002).

The picture was filmed in just 56 days in early 2002; at more than 140 locations around the United States (New York, Los Angeles) and Canada (Montreal, Quebec City).

One of the locations that was used, was the old TWA Terminal 5 building at JFK International Airport in New York City. The building, designed by Eero Saarinen opened in 1962 and was an instant icon of architecture. It has been closed since TWA's demise in 2001; so it was indeed a coup for Spielberg and the crew to film in that building. In 2005, construction started behind the famed terminal to incorporate it with JetBlue's new Terminal. It is set to re-open in 2008.

from BoxOfficeMojo.com:

Film's reported budget - $52 million Est. Marketing Costs - $35 million Domestic Gross - $164 million Worldwide Gross - $351,112,395

Leonardo DiCaprio was sick throughout most of the filming of 'Catch Me If You Can'

Not a remake of the Tony Curtis
film The Great Imposter (1961). Although very similar and based on true events.

Comparison with the book

Compared to the actual events described in Abagnale's book, Catch Me If You Can, the movie can be described as loosely based on true events. The name of the protagonist and some of his exploits are the same as in real life, but the manner in which he achieved them has been changed.

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