Which 2002 Spielberg film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a con artist?

The 2002 Spielberg film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a con artist is Catch Me If You Can.

DiCaprio plays Frank Abagnale Jr., a teenager who impersonates professionals and forges checks while being pursued by FBI agent Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks. The story moves through the 1960s as Frank adopts false identities, including those of an airline pilot and a doctor, exploiting the credibility and access those roles provide.

Steven Spielberg directed the film from a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson. It was loosely based on Abagnale’s memoir and the public legend surrounding his exploits, so the movie should not be treated as a completely verified biography. Christopher Walken plays Frank’s father and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

The film blends crime, comedy, family drama, and a cat-and-mouse chase. Its warm, stylish tone can make Frank’s deception seem glamorous, but the narrative also shows the loneliness and fear behind his impersonations. A common mix-up is The Talented Mr. Ripley, another film about a deceptive young man, but that 1999 movie stars Matt Damon and was directed by Anthony Minghella.