--- title: "Catch Me If You Can: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Catch Me If You Can (2002): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Catch Me If You Can a stylish, buoyant caper, with praise centred on Leonardo DiCaprio’s charm and the ease with which he carries the impersonations. Hanks and Walken also draw strong notices, while the period detail, elegant camerawork and jaunty score help make the chase consistently enjoyable. Several reviews find more feeling beneath the polished surface than its light tone initially suggests, particularly in the father-son relationships. The reservations concern length, sentimentality and how much the film reveals about its protagonist. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to qualified admiration, with no outright rejection: even the cooler reviews acknowledge the performances and polish. The family material produces the clearest disagreement. Empire sees it as a source of emotional depth and unexpected darkness, whereas Screen Daily argues that the family emphasis and moral reassurance take the sting out of the conman’s behaviour. ## Empire — Mark Dinning Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the film a deeply moving, wonderfully acted coming-of-age black comedy that is more sophisticated and darker than expected. It singles out the handling of fatherhood themes and the strong ensemble cast, particularly DiCaprio, Hanks and Walken, for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/catch-can-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Chuck Rudolph Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2002. The critic praises Spielberg for rejuvenating himself with a sleek, frothy adventure that is original and inventive, highlighting DiCaprio's performance and the emotional depth beneath the glossy surface through strong supporting turns by Hanks and Walken. It is quick, charming, exciting, and poignant without being obvious. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/catch-me-if-you-can/) ## Radio Times — Ian Freer Rating 4/5. Praises the stylish slice of effortless entertainment with DiCaprio's movie-star charisma, Hanks' generous supporting turn, Walken's superb performance, great period detail and directorial class. Notes some sentimentality intruding but overall calls it one of Spielberg's most purely enjoyable movies. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-qprf5v/catch-me-if-you-can/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2003. The review calls it a light yet rich conman caper that is visually and thematically delightful from its animated credits onward. It praises the integrated imagery, jazz score and the way the chase nourishes both the conman and the pursuing FBI agent. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/catch-me-if-you-can-129169.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2002. The critic views the film as a lighter change of pace for Spielberg, a breezy caper evoking late-1950s and early-1960s movies with its innocent tone and con-artist antics. It is briskly paced with strong lead performances but runs long due to including too many story details. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/catch-me-you-can-review-2002-movie-1069445/) ## The Guardian — Philip French Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 February 2003. The critic finds the film amusing and high-spirited as a lighthearted true tale of a teenage con man, but notes it is overly complicated in structure, too long, and fails to explore the protagonist's character in depth. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/02/philipfrench) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The critic finds it the director's most likeable film in ages but insubstantial and overlong. Praises the jaunty mix of suspense, romance and comedy along with strong performances, elegant camerawork and agreeable score while noting the superficial treatment and conventional ending. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/catch-me-if-you-can) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2002. Describes an accomplished but somewhat soulless offering with customary polish, fast-paced and stylish with a wildly charismatic DiCaprio performance. Praises the lavish 1960s authenticity and production values but criticizes the family angle and moral rectitude that removes the amoral sting. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/catch-me-if-you-can/4011561.article) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert 25 December 2002. The film is an effortlessly watchable story of a precocious con man whose impersonations succeed through charm and quick thinking. The critic singles out Leonardo DiCaprio's breezy, charming performance as the young Frank Abagnale for praise. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/catch-me-if-you-can-2002) ## The New York Times — Stephen Holden 25 December 2002. Spielberg's film is a supremely entertaining portrait of a virtuoso impostor that finds depth in its lead performance and father-son themes. The critic singles out Leonardo DiCaprio's sensational, fluid portrayal of the chameleon-like con man for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/25/movies/film-review-taking-to-a-gullible-world-like-a-mouse-to-swiss-cheese.html) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2003. The critic finds the film entertaining and stylish, praising DiCaprio's charismatic performance as the con artist and the overall fun, attractive portrayal of theft. They note the story's gaps and Spielberg's sentimental family focus but conclude it is never dull and looks good. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/catch-me-if-you-can-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md