Catch Me If You Can parents guide

Catch Me If You Can Parent Guide

Overall B-

Based on a true story, Frank Abagnale (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) learns at an early age that a confident persona is all he needs to pass himself off as anybody he wishes.. and launch a life of crime.

Release date January 2, 2003

Violence B-
Sexual Content D
Profanity C-
Substance Use B-

Why is Catch Me If You Can rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Catch Me If You Can PG-13 for sexual content and brief language

Run Time: 141 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Glamorizing illegal behavior happens far too frequently in movies, but every now and then a criminal mind comes along possessing an ingenuity that deserves recognition. Such is the case of the real Frank Abagnale - played in this film by Leonardo DiCaprio.

In the movie, Frank is an adolescent growing up with a father (Christopher Walken) who believes the outer image of a person makes up for any deficiencies within. Modeling this behavior to the extreme, Frank soon discovers his confident persona provides him the ability to check out of high school and pass himself off as an airline pilot, pediatrician, and lawyer - all before the age of 21.

Desiring an income to match these false pretences, Frank becomes very skilled at forging checks. Beginning by removing Pan American Airlines logos from toy planes, the precocious delinquent soon has a bank account to assist with entertainment expenses during his jet setting activities. However, his frequent bogus banking exploits also draw the attention of the FBI - specifically Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks).

With the agent on his heels, the teenager barely has time to say goodbye to the many girls attracted by his professional credentials, uniform, and money - leading to a few hasty sexual interludes (which are portrayed with more detail than necessary). Always staying just barely beyond the grasp of the law, Frank’s determination is only matched by Carl’s persistence.

With Spielberg at the helm, this 1960’s period movie is executed precisely. Both Hank’s and DeCaprio’s characters fit like tailored suits, with the younger actor rising to the challenge of portraying an intelligent yet foolish and distraught young man in a way that solicits the audience’s sympathy.

Yet when considering this film’s family suitability, this same sympathy could become a problem. Young viewers may be inclined to interpret Abagnale’s life of crime as being the perfect start of an interesting career - the former crook is now revered as an expert on check fraud and serves as an invaluable resource to the FBI. This reverse hero, the noted sexual content and some profanity leaves parents deciding if they should catch this one or let it go.

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Amy Adams. Running time: 141 minutes. Theatrical release January 2, 2003. Updated

Catch Me If You Can
Rating & Content Info

Why is Catch Me If You Can rated PG-13? Catch Me If You Can is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for sexual content and brief language

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Catch Me If You Can Parents' Guide

Learn more about Frank Abagnale here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Abagnale.

In the film, the consequences for Abagnail’s crimes are only briefly seen. If you made a movie, how do you think you could effectively portray what living in prison for five years would be like? If you had committed the same crimes as Abagnail, what do you think your chances of having an exciting career would be? How are most people affected by past criminal history?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Catch Me If You Can movie is December 3, 2012. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Catch Me If You Can

Release Date: 4 December 2012

Catch Me If You Can releases on Blu-ray with the following bonus extras:

- Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera

- Catch Me If You Can: The Casting of the Film

- Scoring: Catch Me If You Can

- Frank Abagnale: Between Reality and Fiction

- The FBI Perspective

- Catch Me If You Can: In Closing

- Photo Galleries

Related home video titles:

Another recommendable 1960’s period drama is Thirteen Days. For another interesting and inventive American with more admirable goals, check Tucker: The Man and His Dream. Finally, That Thing You Do is a fun movie for teens starring Tom Hanks.