When I first saw this movie I was quite captivated by it. It's well made, well acted, and all the elements for a solid production are there and the story was very compelling. BUT the only reason it works is because you believe this fantastic tale is true.
Once I discovered that the whole thing is entirely a fabrication, that it's all just a fairy tale with almost ZERO basis in fact I felt personally betrayed. Maybe it's because I've been conned once too often in my life, but I was furious when I found out the extent of Mr. Abagnale's deceit.
He never impersonated a doctor, or a professor, or ever passed the bar exam, or acted as an attorney or any of the other fantastic feats that he claims. He was just a low-grade punk who kited checks and ripped off his friends and family and anyone who he befriended. He was arrested 6 or 7 times and often got off lightly due to the efforts of good-hearted folks who were trying to help him. His most effective con was the one he pulled over on everyone about what a lovable, brilliant, clever conman that he never was.
So the movie just loses all it's lustre when you realize that you're part of the conjob yourself. In the unlikely event of me meeting Mr. Abagnale at some time, I'm likely to give him an horrific dopeslap for taking me in.
Once I discovered that the whole thing is entirely a fabrication, that it's all just a fairy tale with almost ZERO basis in fact I felt personally betrayed. Maybe it's because I've been conned once too often in my life, but I was furious when I found out the extent of Mr. Abagnale's deceit.
He never impersonated a doctor, or a professor, or ever passed the bar exam, or acted as an attorney or any of the other fantastic feats that he claims. He was just a low-grade punk who kited checks and ripped off his friends and family and anyone who he befriended. He was arrested 6 or 7 times and often got off lightly due to the efforts of good-hearted folks who were trying to help him. His most effective con was the one he pulled over on everyone about what a lovable, brilliant, clever conman that he never was.
So the movie just loses all it's lustre when you realize that you're part of the conjob yourself. In the unlikely event of me meeting Mr. Abagnale at some time, I'm likely to give him an horrific dopeslap for taking me in.