21 Miles in Malibu, a documentary about traffic, grief and bureaucratic inertia, premieres Feb. 16 at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It’s produced by and centers on the producer Michel Shane (Catch Me If You Can, I Robot), his wife, Ellen, and their 13-year-old daughter, Emily, who was fatally struck by a driver in 2010 while walking along Pacific Coast Highway.
The 56-minute film, directed by Nic Davis (Enormous: The Gorge Story), explores the evolution, dynamics, paradoxes and — most crucially — dangers of Pch, which serves as the key conduit for both the ultra-affluent, world-famous town’s residents (its population is just over 10,000, according to the most recent U.S. Census), as well as the throngs who increasingly visit, especially on weekends, holidays and in the summer. The road’s long history of death and destruction has begat a local nickname, Blood Alley; countless government-funded studies; and perpetual questions about why...
The 56-minute film, directed by Nic Davis (Enormous: The Gorge Story), explores the evolution, dynamics, paradoxes and — most crucially — dangers of Pch, which serves as the key conduit for both the ultra-affluent, world-famous town’s residents (its population is just over 10,000, according to the most recent U.S. Census), as well as the throngs who increasingly visit, especially on weekends, holidays and in the summer. The road’s long history of death and destruction has begat a local nickname, Blood Alley; countless government-funded studies; and perpetual questions about why...
- 2/16/2023
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Producer Michel Shane has unveiled his latest project titled “21 Miles in Malibu,” a feature documentary about the frequent fatalities on Pacific Coast Highway (Pch).
The documentary was inspired by the 2010 murder of Shane’s 13-year-old daughter Emily, who was mowed down by a suicidal driver while walking along Pch on her way home from a friend’s house.
In the doc, Shane, whose EP credits include “I, Robot” and “Catch Me if You Can,” exposes how the 21-mile road that runs alongside the sparkling coast of California is “one of the most deadly stretches of asphalt on Earth.”
The film explores the history of Malibu and Pch and looks at why stricter regulations have been suggested countless times but never implemented.
Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Nic Davis (“Enormous: The Gorge Story”) directs.
Distribution rights to the doc are in negotiation and the film has also been submitted at festivals worldwide.
The documentary was inspired by the 2010 murder of Shane’s 13-year-old daughter Emily, who was mowed down by a suicidal driver while walking along Pch on her way home from a friend’s house.
In the doc, Shane, whose EP credits include “I, Robot” and “Catch Me if You Can,” exposes how the 21-mile road that runs alongside the sparkling coast of California is “one of the most deadly stretches of asphalt on Earth.”
The film explores the history of Malibu and Pch and looks at why stricter regulations have been suggested countless times but never implemented.
Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Nic Davis (“Enormous: The Gorge Story”) directs.
Distribution rights to the doc are in negotiation and the film has also been submitted at festivals worldwide.
- 11/9/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sp Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Anthem of a Teenage Prophet, a supernatural coming-of-age drama starring Shameless‘ Cameron Monaghan, Disney Channel regular Peyton List and Juliette Lewis. A day-and-date theatrical release is set for January 11.
Based on Joanne Proulx’s Ya novel and directed by first-time feature helmer Robin Hays, the story set in 1997 Michigan follows Luke (Monaghan), a teenager who foresees the death of his best friend. When this premonition becomes reality, he must deal with the trials and tribulations of being dubbed “The Prophet of Death” and a freak around town. It doesn’t help that he’s fallen in love with Faith (List), his best friend’s girlfriend. Lewis plays Luke’s mother who helps him navigate his unique challenges.
Grayson Gabriel, Danny Woodburn, Alex MacNicoll and Spencer List co-star. Sepia Films’ Tina Pehme and Kim Roberts are producers, and Handpicked Ventures’ Michel Shane executive produced with Darren Benning.
Based on Joanne Proulx’s Ya novel and directed by first-time feature helmer Robin Hays, the story set in 1997 Michigan follows Luke (Monaghan), a teenager who foresees the death of his best friend. When this premonition becomes reality, he must deal with the trials and tribulations of being dubbed “The Prophet of Death” and a freak around town. It doesn’t help that he’s fallen in love with Faith (List), his best friend’s girlfriend. Lewis plays Luke’s mother who helps him navigate his unique challenges.
Grayson Gabriel, Danny Woodburn, Alex MacNicoll and Spencer List co-star. Sepia Films’ Tina Pehme and Kim Roberts are producers, and Handpicked Ventures’ Michel Shane executive produced with Darren Benning.
- 12/21/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
This story first appeared in the Sept. 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Two rival states are coming together for the sake of Art. Producer Michel Shane (I, Robot), the Chinese government, Asian distributor Flamingo Features and Japanese studio Genco are prepping a television series based on Sun Tzu's classic treatise The Art of War. The show will be filmed in China in English, with postproduction in Montreal. Photos: 11 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Last 25 Years "The series is an American-style high-action adventure all around [Sun's] philosophies and his life," Shane
read more...
read more...
- 9/19/2013
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michel Shane, executive producer of Catch Me If You Can and I, Robot, has forged an unusual collaborative alliance with the Chinese government, artists, investors, and Japan’s Genco Inc. and Flamingo Features to produce an epic television series based on The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
Filming will commence July 14 in historical locations throughout China under the direction of Executive Producer Hu Mei (Confucius), one of that nation’s … Continue reading →...
Filming will commence July 14 in historical locations throughout China under the direction of Executive Producer Hu Mei (Confucius), one of that nation’s … Continue reading →...
- 9/13/2013
- by HorrorNews.net
- Horror News
Our very own Jonathan Ryan, who heads up Dread Central's paranormal feature The Seen and The Unseen, has a pretty nifty contest going on we through we'd bring to your attention!
From the Press Release
The “3 Gates of the Dead Filmmaker Competition” invites aspiring film directors from across the United States and Canada to enter the contest in one of two ways using the horror mystery novel 3 Gates of the Dead by Jonathan Ryan, to be published October 15, 2013 in eBook and print. Applicants can visit the official Jonathan Ryan website and enter by either:
1. Creating a film adaptation trailer from the novel, or
2. Selecting and filming one scene from the novel.
All participants will receive a free digital copy of the novel from Premier Digital Publishing. Submissions must be no less than two and a half minutes or more than six minutes in length. Unlike film festivals there is no...
From the Press Release
The “3 Gates of the Dead Filmmaker Competition” invites aspiring film directors from across the United States and Canada to enter the contest in one of two ways using the horror mystery novel 3 Gates of the Dead by Jonathan Ryan, to be published October 15, 2013 in eBook and print. Applicants can visit the official Jonathan Ryan website and enter by either:
1. Creating a film adaptation trailer from the novel, or
2. Selecting and filming one scene from the novel.
All participants will receive a free digital copy of the novel from Premier Digital Publishing. Submissions must be no less than two and a half minutes or more than six minutes in length. Unlike film festivals there is no...
- 7/16/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Sarah Bolger has been cast in the lead role for the new 3D fantasy “Starbright”. The Dublin born actress will star alongside actor James Earl Jones, who played Darth Vader in “Star Wars”. In “Starbright” the 19-year-old plays an orphan called Pamela who escapes into a fantasy world of fairy tales to hide the pain of a tough childhood. Bolger was a recipient of the best actress award at the 2010 Irish Film and Television Awards for her role as Mary Tudor in “The Tudors”. Her other acting credits include “In America” (2002) and “The Spiderwick Chronicles” (2008). She is currently filming Mary Harron's gothic film “The Moth Diaries” in Monreal. The German-us co-production is being produced by Michel Morales’ Munich-based Aviv Pictures, Us based Lucente Filmed Entertainment, and Michel Shane and Anthony Romano’s Hand Picked Films (Us). Directed by Francesco Lucente, filming is expected to begin in early 2011....
- 11/2/2010
- IrishCentral
Spice Entertainment and director Ashutosh Gowariker's film on Buddha is currently on hold as they have not been able to find the right face to play the divine character. The film is based on a script by David Ward and has Michel Shane and Bhuvan Lall attached as executive producers. Lall said, “We feel the need to expand the search, as we know there is someone out there that would be perfect for this role, we have just not found him yet. We are still passionate about this project and are determined to get into production this year. But not without ...
- 7/19/2010
- BusinessofCinema
Even before his next film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey releases, Ashutosh Gowariker has already moved on to his big budget project Buddha. Produced by Dr.Bhupendra Kumar Modi and directed by Gowariker, Buddha tells the journey of Gautam Buddha right from when he was known as Prince Siddhartha to his moment of enlightenment when he became Buddha. While the hunt for the actor who will play the lead role is still on, it's quite interesting to note that the film will primarily have an all-international crew except production designer Nitin Chandrakant Desai who has worked with Gowariker on most of his films. Some of the international crew members are:. David S. Ward (USA) - Screen writer (best known for his Oscar winning screenplay in The Sting and Sleepless in Seattle) Michel Shane (USA) - Executive Producer (who is known for having worked on films like I Robot and Catch Me If You Can...
- 5/22/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Even before his next film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey releases, Ashutosh Gowariker has already moved on to his big budget project Buddha. Produced by Dr.Bhupendra Kumar Modi and directed by Gowariker, Buddha tells the journey of Gautam Buddha right from when he was known as Prince Siddhartha to his moment of enlightenment when he became Buddha. While the hunt for the actor who will play the lead role is still on, it's quite interesting to note that the film will primarily have an all-international crew except production designer Nitin Chandrakant Desai who has worked with Gowariker on most of his films. Some of the international crew members are:. David S. Ward (USA) - Screen writer (best known for his Oscar winning screenplay in The Sting and Sleepless in Seattle) Michel Shane (USA) - Executive Producer (who is known for having worked on films like I Robot and Catch Me If You Can...
- 5/22/2010
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Two India-centric epics are currently brewing, according to Deadline.
First: Gurinder Chadha, a woman known for her light comedies -- most notably the hit Bend it Like Beckham -- is finally getting serious. As her latest, It's a Wonderful Afterlife, heads to the screens, she's looking to film a historical epic on the Indian Partition. "That was the moment in August 1947 when Britain clumsily split India in two, dividing secular but Hindu-dominated India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," and Chadha will dig into how that changed not only the country, but the families inside it. Chadha is on her second draft, adapting from the book Freedom at Midnight. She hopes to have the script finished and ready to shoot next year.
Meanwhile, an open casting call has gone out for another Indian epic, this one focusing on Buddha. Director Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan) is looking for an unknown to star in Buddha,...
First: Gurinder Chadha, a woman known for her light comedies -- most notably the hit Bend it Like Beckham -- is finally getting serious. As her latest, It's a Wonderful Afterlife, heads to the screens, she's looking to film a historical epic on the Indian Partition. "That was the moment in August 1947 when Britain clumsily split India in two, dividing secular but Hindu-dominated India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," and Chadha will dig into how that changed not only the country, but the families inside it. Chadha is on her second draft, adapting from the book Freedom at Midnight. She hopes to have the script finished and ready to shoot next year.
Meanwhile, an open casting call has gone out for another Indian epic, this one focusing on Buddha. Director Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan) is looking for an unknown to star in Buddha,...
- 4/24/2010
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
With news of historic figures like Leonardo DaVinci waiting patiently to become modern day action heroes, it was only a matter of time until we got more of these stories.
According to Deadline, the life of Buddha is set to get the “Gladiator meets Lawrence Of Arabia” treatment, via the producer of I, Robot, Michel Shane. The film will be based on Kyra Pahlen’s novel, The Warrior Prince, which followed Buddha, who must defend his country, all in the face of the mainstream beliefs of the time. Interestingly, the Dalai Lama is on the project as a consultant producer, with the script being penned by David S. Ward.
Read more on Buddha getting the action hero treatment…...
According to Deadline, the life of Buddha is set to get the “Gladiator meets Lawrence Of Arabia” treatment, via the producer of I, Robot, Michel Shane. The film will be based on Kyra Pahlen’s novel, The Warrior Prince, which followed Buddha, who must defend his country, all in the face of the mainstream beliefs of the time. Interestingly, the Dalai Lama is on the project as a consultant producer, with the script being penned by David S. Ward.
Read more on Buddha getting the action hero treatment…...
- 4/22/2010
- by Joshua Brunsting
- GordonandtheWhale
The producers behind the $40 million epic film on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Indian prince who founded Buddhism, and is the supreme Buddha, have opened up the casting project, and are looking for an unknown to play the lead.
Actors have until May 15 to submit to the Buddha-Movie website, with plans to begin shooting in India at the end of August.
David S Ward, screenwriter of The Sting, has written the screenplay, based on Kyra Pahlen’s biography of The Warrior Prince. The Dalai Lama is even credited as “consultant producer.”
Ashutosh Gowariker will direct, and Michel Shane (I, Robot and Catch Me If You Can) will produce, pitching the project as “Gladiator meets Lawrence of Arabia.”
Click Here for more info…...
Actors have until May 15 to submit to the Buddha-Movie website, with plans to begin shooting in India at the end of August.
David S Ward, screenwriter of The Sting, has written the screenplay, based on Kyra Pahlen’s biography of The Warrior Prince. The Dalai Lama is even credited as “consultant producer.”
Ashutosh Gowariker will direct, and Michel Shane (I, Robot and Catch Me If You Can) will produce, pitching the project as “Gladiator meets Lawrence of Arabia.”
Click Here for more info…...
- 4/22/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
Exclusive: Indian telecoms magnate Bk Modi has thrown open the casting for the $40 million Indian epic he’s producing. Director Ashutosh Gowariker is looking for an unknown to play the 500Bc Indian prince who became Buddha. Actors have until May 15th to submit to the Buddha-Movie website. “We felt that we needed a new face for our Buddha,” executive producer Michel Shane tells me. Gowariker, who won various festival awards for Lagaan (2001), plans to start shooting in India at the end of August. Modi is fully-financing Buddha through his Spice Studios. David S Ward, screenwriter of The Sting, has penned [...]...
- 4/22/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline Hollywood
I'm fine watching Ian Somerhalder on the small screen, though I've missed him on "Lost" the past couple years and I'm pretty tired of vampire shows (such as his series "The Vampire Diaries"). But I just re-watched the terribly underrated "The Rules of Attraction" the other night and I really think he belongs on the big screen more often. Fortunately, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Somerhalder has been cast in a new film titled "Cradlewood."
Described as a romantic gothic fairy tale, "Cradlewood" follows a man (Somerhalder) threatened by a family curse. Thanks to an old deal with a demon, every male in his family dies as soon as he begets a son. In the movie, which was conceived and will be directed by visual effects artist Harry Weinmann ("Race to Witch Mountain"), Somerhalder's character suspects that his wife is pregnant and he resolves to do what he can to stay alive.
Described as a romantic gothic fairy tale, "Cradlewood" follows a man (Somerhalder) threatened by a family curse. Thanks to an old deal with a demon, every male in his family dies as soon as he begets a son. In the movie, which was conceived and will be directed by visual effects artist Harry Weinmann ("Race to Witch Mountain"), Somerhalder's character suspects that his wife is pregnant and he resolves to do what he can to stay alive.
- 10/16/2009
- by Christopher Campbell
- MTV Movies Blog
Pretty boy Ian Somerhalder, perhaps best known for his work in The Vampire Diaries and Lost, has joined the cast of the “romantic gothic fairy tale” Cradlewood.
According to THR:
“The movie centers on an Australian woman living in Boston with the heir (Somerhalder) to an incredible fortune whose family history is swirled in a legend that tells of a pact made with a demon which ensures that whenever a boy is born into the family, the father is killed.
The heir suspects his girlfriend is pregnant, and after strange events occur, he comes to believe he will die if he continues to fall in love.”
The film will be directed by Harry Weinmann, who did the visual effects for Spaceballs and was on the art department for Race to Witch Mountain. In other words, he’s relatively unproven, even after more than 20 years in the field. Weinmann created the...
According to THR:
“The movie centers on an Australian woman living in Boston with the heir (Somerhalder) to an incredible fortune whose family history is swirled in a legend that tells of a pact made with a demon which ensures that whenever a boy is born into the family, the father is killed.
The heir suspects his girlfriend is pregnant, and after strange events occur, he comes to believe he will die if he continues to fall in love.”
The film will be directed by Harry Weinmann, who did the visual effects for Spaceballs and was on the art department for Race to Witch Mountain. In other words, he’s relatively unproven, even after more than 20 years in the field. Weinmann created the...
- 10/16/2009
- by John Cooper
- Atomic Popcorn
There's a rising market in fantasy/horror films with a strong romance backdriop to them. Bare witness to the Twilight craze and that's your answer for where the craze began. Whether the streak of hor-rom movies will turn into a genuine sub-genre with lasting legs remains to be seen, but for the moment Hollywood is getting the projects moving in the pipeline.
An indie project called Cradlewood is the latest film of this type to be announced. The Hollywood Reporter breaks the story about this new project and reveals that it's nabbed Ian Somerhalder, once of Lost and now of The Vampire Diaries, to play the lead male role. Somerhalder will play a rich man who is heir to a considerable fortune. He's in a relationship with an Australian woman (to be played by Emma Lung) and holding steady in life until he suspects that his partner is pregnant. That's...
An indie project called Cradlewood is the latest film of this type to be announced. The Hollywood Reporter breaks the story about this new project and reveals that it's nabbed Ian Somerhalder, once of Lost and now of The Vampire Diaries, to play the lead male role. Somerhalder will play a rich man who is heir to a considerable fortune. He's in a relationship with an Australian woman (to be played by Emma Lung) and holding steady in life until he suspects that his partner is pregnant. That's...
- 10/16/2009
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Vampire Diaries’ Ian Somerhalder will star in Cradlewood, a Gothic fantasy being produced by Hand Picked Films and Instinct Entertainment. He’ll co-star opposite Australian actress Emma Lung (soon to be seen in Christopher Smith’s Triangle) for director Harry Weinmann, who was previously an FX artist on films ranging from Lifeforce to Race To Witch Mountain.
Scripted by Lost Things’ Stephen Sewell and Bathory’s John Paul Chapple from a story by Weinmann, Cradlewood casts Somerhalder as the heir to a great fortune who also believes he has inherited a legendary family curse thanks to a pact with a demon: Whenever a boy is born into the bloodline, the father dies—and the man suspects his girlfriend (Lung) is pregnant. Though set in Boston, the film will lens in Melbourne, Australia, with Michel Shane and David Redman producing. “We see this is as...
Scripted by Lost Things’ Stephen Sewell and Bathory’s John Paul Chapple from a story by Weinmann, Cradlewood casts Somerhalder as the heir to a great fortune who also believes he has inherited a legendary family curse thanks to a pact with a demon: Whenever a boy is born into the bloodline, the father dies—and the man suspects his girlfriend (Lung) is pregnant. Though set in Boston, the film will lens in Melbourne, Australia, with Michel Shane and David Redman producing. “We see this is as...
- 10/16/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Ian Somerhalder, star of the CW's "The Vampire Diaries," has signed to topline the romantic gothic fairy tale "Cradlewood." Hand Picked Films and Instinct Entertainment are behind the indie being directed by Harry Weinmann.
The movie centers on an Australian woman living in Boston with the heir (Somerhalder) to an incredible fortune whose family history is swirled in a legend that tells of a pact made with a demon which ensures that whenever a boy is born into the family, the father is killed.
The heir suspects his girlfriend is pregnant, and after strange events occur, he comes to believe he will die if he continues to fall in love.
Emma Lung ("The Boys Are Back") will play the Australian woman.
"Cradlewood" is based on original story by Weinmann. Stephen Sewell ("The Boys") and John Paul Chapple ("Bathroy") wrote the script.
Michel Shane ("Catch Me If You Can") and David Redman ("Strange Bedfellows") will produce.
The movie centers on an Australian woman living in Boston with the heir (Somerhalder) to an incredible fortune whose family history is swirled in a legend that tells of a pact made with a demon which ensures that whenever a boy is born into the family, the father is killed.
The heir suspects his girlfriend is pregnant, and after strange events occur, he comes to believe he will die if he continues to fall in love.
Emma Lung ("The Boys Are Back") will play the Australian woman.
"Cradlewood" is based on original story by Weinmann. Stephen Sewell ("The Boys") and John Paul Chapple ("Bathroy") wrote the script.
Michel Shane ("Catch Me If You Can") and David Redman ("Strange Bedfellows") will produce.
- 10/15/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brittany Murphy, Ryan Gosling, Tim Roth, Giovanni Ribisi, Jason Lee and Anjelica Huston have come on board the indie pic The Other Side according to Variety. The fable from Happy, Texas scribe Phil Reeves and David Michaels, who makes his directorial debut on the project, tells the tale of a science scholar trying to solve a mystery involving the residents of a bizarre remote island. Michel Shane and Anthony Romano (I, Robot) will produce the film along with Diane Isaacs, Jory Weitz and Kent Harper.
- 5/9/2006
- IMDbPro News
Hand Picked Films has acquired intellectual property rights to The Black Belt Club, by children's book author Dawn Barnes. Principles Anthony Romano and Michel Shane, who were exec producers of I, Robot and Catch Me If You Can, paid mid-six figures for the Scholastic graphic novel series about a globe-trotting multicultural karate club. They plan to build and develop a multiplatform franchise based on the children's book series that debuted in the spring. The producers have teamed with Steven Gagnon's Gravity Entertainment to license and merchandise the book into crossmedia platforms, with plans to make an animated television series, direct-to-DVD movies, video games and feature films based around the story line of the 12-book franchise.
Catch Me If You Can represents a distinct change of pace for director Steven Spielberg. This is a lighter movie than he has made in a long while, and you sense his relief that nothing much is at stake. "Catch Me" harkens back to movies made in the late '50s and early '60s. It's the age of innocence, before the counterculture, Watergate, all those other "gates" and international terrorism, a time when a kid could pull off con after con, fooling adults who should know better, because no one can imagine such deceit, and anyone can fake an ID and bluff his way around an airport.
The film pitches itself as a holiday movie with scenes of Christmas celebrations over the course of several years. Opening Christmas Day, the DreamWorks release should get off to a jolly start at the boxoffice. And the dream teaming of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks gives the movie an added boost.
Jeff Nathanson's script is inspired by the story of Frank Abagnale, who as a runaway teen 40 years ago passed himself off as a teacher, airline pilot, doctor and lawyer over a five-year stretch, all the while cashing millions of dollars in fraudulent checks. The guy now works with the FBI, having become one of the world's foremost experts in fraud, forgery and embezzlement.
"Catch Me" sets the story up as a cat-and-mouse game between Frank and FBI agent Carl Hanratty, a composite of several agents who worked the case. DiCaprio, looking ever so boyish as Frank, stumbles into his life of crime in reaction to the trauma of his parents' divorce. He is fast-thinking and pleasure-addicted during the five-year joy ride that features the best of clothes and all the women he can handle. On the other hand, Hanks' Hanratty is a dour, humorless divorcee who gets his clothes cleaned at the Laundromat, has no family or social life and takes himself way too seriously. Adding to his surly nature, every time he closes in on Frank, his prey gives him the slip, turning him into the live-action equivalent of Wile E. Coyote.
Initially, Frank dons the uniform of a Pan Am pilot simply to cash checks. As his skills in check fraud increase, Frank realizes he can travel free on other airlines as a "deadhead" passenger. Soon he is jetting around the country.
When Hanratty picks up the scent, Frank switches professions twice, acquiring a thrilled fiancee in Amy Adams' Brenda and a job as assistant DA from an equally thrilled future father-in-law, Martin Sheen's New Orleans district attorney. Frank fakes these professions, or so the movie would have you believe, by glancing at TV shows about lawyers and doctors and being a quick study in jargon and professional demeanor.
Spielberg and his production team outfit these comic adventures with the slightly stylized look of late-'50s movies. A nifty cartoon opening-credit sequence with a jazzy, Mancini-influenced score by John Williams leads to cinematographer Janusz Kaminski's bright, hazy colors and Mary Zophres' suave wardrobes.
The only notes of drabness come when Frank's father, wonderfully played by Christopher Walken, occupies the screen. A man who achieves success only to see it disintegrate when the IRS comes after him, Frank Sr. is a broken man whose fate goads Frank Jr. to action. His French-born wife, played by Nathalie Baye, flees that drabness into the arms of a more successful businessman (James Brolin), creating a further provocation to her son's criminal career. These episodes are as close as the movie cares to get to psychological insight.
While the film is briskly paced, it nevertheless runs long. Inspired by a true-life tale, the filmmakers evidently hated to leave out any juicy bits. It's an understandable failing given the supremely unlikely early life of Frank Abagnale.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
DreamWorks Pictures
A Kemp Co. and Splendid Pictures production
A Parkes/MacDonald production
Credits:
Director: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson
Based on the book by: Frank W. Abagnale Jr. with Stan Redding
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Water F. Parkes
Executive producers: Barry Kemp, Laurie MacDonald, Michel Shane, Tony Romano
Co-executive producer: Daniel Lupi
Director of photography: Janusz Kaminski
Production designer: Jeannine Oppewall
Music: John Williams
Co-producer: Devorah Moos-Hankin
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Michael Kahn
Cast:
Frank Abagnale: Leonard DiCaprio
Carl Hanratty: Tom Hanks
Frank Abagnale Sr.: Christopher Walken
Roger Strong: Martin Sheen
Paula Abagnale: Nathalie Baye
Brenda Strong: Amy Adams
Cheryl Ann: Jennifer Garner
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
The film pitches itself as a holiday movie with scenes of Christmas celebrations over the course of several years. Opening Christmas Day, the DreamWorks release should get off to a jolly start at the boxoffice. And the dream teaming of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks gives the movie an added boost.
Jeff Nathanson's script is inspired by the story of Frank Abagnale, who as a runaway teen 40 years ago passed himself off as a teacher, airline pilot, doctor and lawyer over a five-year stretch, all the while cashing millions of dollars in fraudulent checks. The guy now works with the FBI, having become one of the world's foremost experts in fraud, forgery and embezzlement.
"Catch Me" sets the story up as a cat-and-mouse game between Frank and FBI agent Carl Hanratty, a composite of several agents who worked the case. DiCaprio, looking ever so boyish as Frank, stumbles into his life of crime in reaction to the trauma of his parents' divorce. He is fast-thinking and pleasure-addicted during the five-year joy ride that features the best of clothes and all the women he can handle. On the other hand, Hanks' Hanratty is a dour, humorless divorcee who gets his clothes cleaned at the Laundromat, has no family or social life and takes himself way too seriously. Adding to his surly nature, every time he closes in on Frank, his prey gives him the slip, turning him into the live-action equivalent of Wile E. Coyote.
Initially, Frank dons the uniform of a Pan Am pilot simply to cash checks. As his skills in check fraud increase, Frank realizes he can travel free on other airlines as a "deadhead" passenger. Soon he is jetting around the country.
When Hanratty picks up the scent, Frank switches professions twice, acquiring a thrilled fiancee in Amy Adams' Brenda and a job as assistant DA from an equally thrilled future father-in-law, Martin Sheen's New Orleans district attorney. Frank fakes these professions, or so the movie would have you believe, by glancing at TV shows about lawyers and doctors and being a quick study in jargon and professional demeanor.
Spielberg and his production team outfit these comic adventures with the slightly stylized look of late-'50s movies. A nifty cartoon opening-credit sequence with a jazzy, Mancini-influenced score by John Williams leads to cinematographer Janusz Kaminski's bright, hazy colors and Mary Zophres' suave wardrobes.
The only notes of drabness come when Frank's father, wonderfully played by Christopher Walken, occupies the screen. A man who achieves success only to see it disintegrate when the IRS comes after him, Frank Sr. is a broken man whose fate goads Frank Jr. to action. His French-born wife, played by Nathalie Baye, flees that drabness into the arms of a more successful businessman (James Brolin), creating a further provocation to her son's criminal career. These episodes are as close as the movie cares to get to psychological insight.
While the film is briskly paced, it nevertheless runs long. Inspired by a true-life tale, the filmmakers evidently hated to leave out any juicy bits. It's an understandable failing given the supremely unlikely early life of Frank Abagnale.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
DreamWorks Pictures
A Kemp Co. and Splendid Pictures production
A Parkes/MacDonald production
Credits:
Director: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson
Based on the book by: Frank W. Abagnale Jr. with Stan Redding
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Water F. Parkes
Executive producers: Barry Kemp, Laurie MacDonald, Michel Shane, Tony Romano
Co-executive producer: Daniel Lupi
Director of photography: Janusz Kaminski
Production designer: Jeannine Oppewall
Music: John Williams
Co-producer: Devorah Moos-Hankin
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Michael Kahn
Cast:
Frank Abagnale: Leonard DiCaprio
Carl Hanratty: Tom Hanks
Frank Abagnale Sr.: Christopher Walken
Roger Strong: Martin Sheen
Paula Abagnale: Nathalie Baye
Brenda Strong: Amy Adams
Cheryl Ann: Jennifer Garner
Running time -- 140 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 12/16/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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