A beloved Steven Spielberg film has made a major splash on Netflix in the United Kingdom, rapidly ascending the platform's popularity rankings just in time for the festive season. 'Catch Me If You Can', the stylish 2002 crime-comedy, landed on the service this week and has already secured the number three spot on the UK movie charts.
A Star-Studded Tale of Deception
The film features an all-star cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., a charismatic teenager who successfully poses as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while committing forgery and fraud. Tom Hanks plays the dedicated FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, who pursues him in a globe-trotting game of cat and mouse. The supporting cast includes acclaimed actors Christopher Walken, Amy Adams, and Martin Sheen.
Based on the semi-autobiographical story of security consultant Frank Abagnale Jr., the film dramatises his disputed but captivating claims of a prolific youthful crime spree. Hollywood's interest in Abagnale's story dates back to 1980, but it was Steven Spielberg who finally brought it to the screen in 2002, following his successes with Schindler's List and the Jurassic Park franchise.
The Unexpected Christmas Classic
While not traditionally marketed as a holiday film, 'Catch Me If You Can' is gaining a reputation as a perfect Christmas watch. This is partly due to several key scenes set during the festive period and the prominent use of Nat King Cole's 'The Christmas Song' on its soundtrack. The film was even released in cinemas on Christmas Day in the United States back in 2002.
On forums like Reddit, viewers are championing its seasonal credentials. One fan pointed out that every conversation between DiCaprio's and Hanks' characters takes place on Christmas Eve, a detail the narrative highlights. They argued these moments combine strong Christmas aesthetics with themes of connection and redemption that align with the holiday spirit.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Legacy
The film's quality is underscored by its exceptional critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a near-perfect 98% critic score based on over 200 reviews, with the site's consensus dubbing it 'an all-time classic'. Its audience score is equally impressive at 89% from more than 250,000 ratings. On the popular film community site Letterboxd, it maintains a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 average from almost two million user scores.
Although it received two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Walken) and Best Original Score, it was ultimately beaten by Adaptation and Frida. However, the film did win a BAFTA award and two Critics' Choice awards.
For UK viewers looking to stream, 'Catch Me If You Can' is currently available on Netflix without adverts. It can also be found on free, ad-supported platforms like ITVX, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video.
