Catch Me If You Can - book and adaptation

[Zeljka]

I think it won't be an exaggeration if I say that Frank W. Abagnale and his life story wouldn't be so famous now if Steven Spielberg didn't direct the movie Catch Me If You Can in 2002 with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in the main roles.

Veracity of the story was shaken by Abagnale himself, as the coauthor of the book didn't consult him much in the matter. You can read Abagnale's comments concerning the book and the film on his website. I like his last words there: It is important to understand that it is just a movie… not a biographical documentary. Let us keep that in mind while reading the book and watching the movie!

I hope you like it! Share your thoughts and impressions below.

[Kirsten]

I read this quite a while ago and even watched the film. Something like this could probably never happen again. He did all this pre-internet.

[Zeljka]

Kirsten "keep calm there are only 1 days left" wrote: "I read this quite a while ago and even watched the film. Something like this could probably never happen again. He did all this pre-internet."

Yes, I am really wondering would that all be achievable today? On the other hand, credentials can be faked online too, and people are still the same in the character. If back then they couldn't so easily check someone's credentials, they might be even more careless today exactly because of how easy it is to check anyone's references (meaning they wouldn't think of doing that check for real).

[D.R.]

I was developing a film project years ago and the producer of 'Catch Me if You Can', Michel Shane, helped me out... He talked about how when he started out, he was just selling VHS tapes to videostores out of the back of his car; from there he was able to make some documentaries... which led him to obtaining the rights to the book 'Catch Me if You Can'; Spielberg wanted to make it, and the producer only agreed to sell it, if Spielberg agreed to take him on as executive producer... And so that's how he made his way into Hollywood in one fell swoop.