When you think about enduring cinematic brilliance, isn’t Steven Spielberg just a name that makes you want to stand up and shout “Bravo!”? With a portfolio as legendary as grandma’s secret recipe for apple pie, Spielberg has delivered some timeless classics that have left us all wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Among his magnificent masterpieces, the 2002 drama Catch Me If You Can shines brighter than a diamond in the rough of the 21st century.
And Leonardo DiCaprio, who steps into the shoes of Frank Abagnale Jr., doesn’t just play the role; he became the role. Spielberg himself couldn’t help but highlight the striking parallels between the real-life Abagnale and his on-screen portrayal, noting that both share a remarkable knack for “social camouflage”.
Steven Spielberg Knew Leonardo DiCaprio Was Born For Catch Me If You Can’s Role
Ever heard the saying, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”? If Shakespeare had been around to see Catch Me If You Can, he might have added, “And some players wear many hats—literally”.
In 2002, Leonardo DiCaprio stepped out of his Titanic tuxedo and into the shoes of Frank Abagnale Jr. His portrayal of the young con artist proved he could hold his own against acting giants like Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken.
DiCaprio’s Abagnale doesn’t just dip his toes into the world of impersonation—he dives in headfirst. Director Steven Spielberg himself couldn’t help but draw similarities between Abagnale and his on-screen embodiment. In an interview with the BBC, the former remarked:
I think what Frank did in real life and what Leo does in portraying him are the same thing. They both use social camouflage. Basically, that’s changing and switching occupations. I think Frank, like Leo, has a dazzling IQ. You understand in just meeting Frank how he could just pull the wool over your eyes, and there’s something of that in Leo.
The film’s release was also a clear-cut triumph. It soared to success, pulling in an impressive $352 million globally (Box Office Mojo). At the Academy Awards, it garnered nods for Christopher Walken and John Williams in the Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Score categories, respectively. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a flamboyant 96% rating and 8.1 on IMDb.
Steven Spielberg’s Personal Connection to Catch Me If You Can
Imagine discovering that the mastermind behind one of the most entertaining heist movies of all time once pulled off his own real-life caper. Yes, Steven Spielberg himself once engaged in a bit of youthful mischief that could have been lifted straight from Catch Me If You Can.
This revelation came in 2002, during an interview with Roger Ebert when Spielberg was asked to clear the air about reports that he had once donned a suit and tie and slipped onto the “studio lot at Universal when you were 16 years old.”
Yeah, just about. I think a little bit less than 16. And I did that for a whole summer during my high school vacation.
What’s more, the filmmaker managed to fly under the radar and avoid getting caught, even though he was technically breaking the law. In his own words:
Pretty much so. I was trespassing. There were a number of books they could have thrown at me if they had caught me but they never caught me.
So, no handcuffs, no fingerprints—just a summer of trespassing and a lifetime of storytelling that would eventually make his own youthful antics seem like the tip of the iceberg.
Now, before you get too starry-eyed, it’s important to note that while Spielberg’s teenage escapades were indeed impressive, they were quite different in motive and scope compared to the high-stakes cons depicted in Catch Me If You Can. Ergo, as the saying goes, “Truth is stranger than fiction,” and in his case, it seems the truth was pretty darn cinematic too.
Catch Me If You Can is currently available on Paramount+.
