Sometimes even the best directors
just want to have a little fun. After years of huge, important films
such as AMISTAD, SCHINDLER'S LIST and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, Steven
Spielberg scales things back for this taut, intriguing cat and mouse
thriller. No sharks, mother ships, sprawling World War II battles
or marauding martians, just one man tracking down another man in the
name of justice. Hanks as a harried government agent and DiCaprio
as a young check forger give two of the most astute performances seen
in a Spielberg film since the golden days of JAWS and
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS. As so often happens, Christopher "I am not
of this Earth" Walken steals all his scenes by reprising his now
standard wackjob characterization, but for this film, such nuttiness
from his character is appropriate. Even the little things in this
film are all part of the fun. There's Jennifer Garner in a
sexy cameo as DiCaprio's
one-night stand, and superb retro animated opening credits,
worthy of a frothy, colorful Hitchcock caper starring Grace
Kelly. Spielberg should stop thinking "big statements"
and make more like this one. - JB
Steven Spielberg The Stuff You Gotta Watch Home Page
ADD ANOTHER QUOTE AND MAKE IT A GALLON
"Just tell me how much he owes and I'll pay you back."
"So far, it's about 1.3 million dollars."