“Catfish” and “Catch Me If You Can” seem to be very very different films, but there’s also various similarities. The characters in both films have a lot to do with the similarities and differences. They make the audience think about how far some people are willing to go to get out of certain situations.
The main similarity is the case of false identity. There are characters in both films that is pretending to be various people. This is something that’s very attention-grabbing, especially since both films actually happened in real life. What I find key in these films is that both characters go under false identities as a sort of escape. Frank Abagnale does it to run from this parents’ divorce, and Abby’s mother does it to escape her stressful and tiring everyday life. Also, both characters are being searched for by someone. Frank is being chased by Carl Hanratty and the police, while Abby’s mother is being searched for by Nev. This plays a big role in the films because the manner that they’re done keeps the audience on their feet. They’ve both done crimes; one breaking the law, and one breaking a heart.
What I think that really defines the two films is who’s side we’re on. In “Catch Me If You Can” we’re with Leonardo DiCaprio’s character all the way; we’re constantly rooting him on. In “Catfish” we’re with Nev the whole time, and we just feel a bit sorry for him. With films, other than the actual film concept, actors, etc., it’s all about how it impacts the audience. What the audience feels is key, which is why I think “Catch Me If You Can” is more successful. We’re always interested in what outrageous thing DiCaprio is going to do next, and wonder if he’s going to get caught this time. Another thing is, Frank is the one who’s on the run, while Abby’s mom is at home, doing her daily routine; this makes Frank a far more interesting character. Also, the main characters are completely different. In the end of “Catfish,” you just end up feeling sorry for him and all the lies that impacted him, but for “Catch Me If You Can,” you feel a sense of closure with the characters because you know he’s a better person and that he can control himself now. The character arc for Frank Abagnale is much greater.
Both films have characters with false identities, which I mentioned before. Although, depending on which side your on in the film, makes a great impact on the audience, as well as the types of characters it has. “Catch Me If You Can” does a better job of conveying the better way of doing it.
I agree with you that Catch Me If You Can is a much better film than Catfish. I actually thought Catfish was horrbly boring and not worth the hour and a half it took to sit through it. As for this review I feel it was rudundant in places. For example you mention that the movies have similarities many times. It would seem that saying that once then explaing those similarities would have made the review more fluid. But otherwise I liked how you viewed Nev and Angela.
ReplyDelete