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Film Study
“Catch Me If You Can.”
1
Give two examples of ways that Frank Abagnale, Jr successfully obtains identity
information to commit identity theft.
[2]
He uses fake identities to
Wrote personal checks on his own overdrawn account then moved on to opening other
accounts in different banks, eventually creating new identities to sustain this charade. Over
time, he experimented and developed different ways of defrauding banks, such as printing
out his own almost-perfect copies of checks, depositing them and persuading banks to
advance him cash on the basis of money in his accounts. Did this by getting a cashier to show
him the ropes.
One of Abagnale's famous tricks was to print his account number on blank deposit slips and
add them to the stack of real blank slips in the bank. This meant that the deposits written on
those slips by bank customers ended up going into his account rather than that of the
legitimate customers.
Pilot – pretended to be interviewing a pilot for the school newspaper – took an old identity
from the pilot and then phoned PanAm to request a new uniform (his was supposedly still at
the cleaners)
Doctor – chatted up the nurse and she showed him the clinic records etc. Watched
television to work out what to say and do. He got a job in charge of night duty patients.
Attorney
Wrote the board exam.
Teacher – opportunistic – stood up and started teaching.
2
Why did the airlines have such a difficult time catching and prosecuting Frank for
impersonating a pilot and forging payroll checks?
[2]
The movie Catch Me If You Can took place at a time when there was no high security in the
Airlines like there is today. A person impersonating a pilot and forging payroll checks was not
suspected in those times so such was not easy to see and prosecute.
3
How did Frank cheat in the Louisiana State Bar Exam?
[1]
Frank claims he didn't cheat on the bar exam in Catch Me If You Can. He says that he genuinely
passed the exam.
4
Do you believe that Frank’s choice of parent with whom to live with after his parents’
divorce influenced his criminal lifestyle? Why or why not?
[2]
He didn’t really live with either parent – he ran away – which did influence his lifestyle as he had to
support himself.
5
At what age (more or less) did Frank Abignale begin his criminal lifestyle?
[1]
At sixteen his father took him to “borrow” a suit (based on bribery – he had the woman’s necklace)
and then they went to ask for a loan.
6
How was Frank able to obtain money throughout the movie without depositing checks
into a bank account?
[1]
One of Abagnale's famous tricks was to print his account number on blank deposit slips and
add them to the stack of real blank slips in the bank. This meant that the deposits written on
those slips by bank customers ended up going into his account rather than that of the
legitimate customers.
7
Even though Frank Abagnale posed as an adult throughout the film, how was his actual
age demonstrated through his actions? Give two examples and explain why.
[2]
His actions are those of a young man – he’s forever chatting to young women. His face is
very young looking.
8
How did Frank use the number of Federal Reserve banks to his advantage?
[1]
He would send checks to a bank far away and by the time they’d traced it, it was two weeks
later and he had spent the money already. It also made it difficult for them to trace him.
Reflections on Minority Report
'Minority Report' touches, in an imaginative, contemporary, and stylish manner, on a host of
age-old ethical and abstract puzzles - some raised openly, others obvious only once we’ve
thought about it…
10
Could it ever be just to punish a person for a crime they didn't commit, yet would have
committed had others not intervened to prevent it? Answer this question with reference to
the actions of the character, John.
Own discretion.
[4]
11
When are privacy and freedom more valuable than safety? Discuss this question with
reference to the final outcome of Minority Report.
[4]
Own discretion. Answer must substantiate the question. Give a lucid and well-constructed
answerfor four marks.
Catch Me if You Can and Minority Report
12
Is it ever justifiable to treat human beings as means rather than ends?
12.1 How does Frank use people as a means to an end (a way to obtain his personal
objectives)?
[2]
He gets them to tell him things and then uses the information e.g. the bank teller and receptionist.
He puts people’s lives in danger too.
12.2 How is Agatha used as a means to an end in Minority Report?
[2]
She has to swim around in a bucket of water so that the others can figure out who has done what
to whom. Her whole life is in the service of others.
12.3 Do you think it is ever justifiable to treat human beings as instruments to achieve one’s
objectives or goals? Give reasons for your answer.
[3]
Own discretion. Good reasons for full marks. Good argument.
13
Describe a scene where the cops in Minority Report could have intervened to stop Frank
performing one of his evil deeds.
[3]
Own discretion – must be believable.