CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002). Catch Me If You Can is a story of shifting identities, and not just those of subject Frank W. Abagnale Jr., the real-life impostor who spent much of the 1960s pretending to be an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, forging millions of dollars in checks along the way, all before he turned 21. Star Leonardo DiCaprio has also been a chameleon throughout his career. As for director Steven Spielberg, well, for the first time in his career he's become a cynic. Like so many Spielberg movies, this one is about a lost child searching for a parent: when Frank Sr. (Christopher Walken, who's about 15 years too old for the role but plays it deliciously and snagged an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor) and mom Paula (Nathalie Baye) turn out to be accomplished liars and cheats, and then divorce, young Frank is so torn apart that he runs away, first from his family and ultimately from the law. So his dishonesty is something he comes by honestly. The only one who recognizes the artistry of his cons is Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), the G-man Javert who pursues him across the years. All the same, Frank drops people, like his trusting fiancée (Amy Adams), as soon as they're no longer useful, and so does Spielberg. Frank lives his life like the TV and movie characters he loves (particularly James Bond), but though it's fun to watch people being bamboozled on screen, it's no fun in real life. Watching Catch Me If You Can, you may feel like one of Frank's victims: you'll be charmed and entertained for a couple hours, but then you'll realize you're out 10 bucks. (146m)

Click for a full review.