Crime? Biography? Fashion drama? Comedy?
Obviously, when the audience entered the Theatre to watch Catch Me If You Can, they did not expect this scene, nor could they accurately describe the genre of the film.
But that didn't matter—
Steven Spielberg's storytelling and pacing flowed seamlessly, masterfully maintaining the audience's attention as they were drawn into the story.
As the audience watched young Frank, with just a few words, bring a tearful Brenda back to smiles, they too seemed captivated by Frank's charm, making the next events feel completely natural.
Brenda not only quickly found information about Frank's friends, but even eagerly explained to him how to read medical charts.
Seeing Brenda's smiling face, a new idea popped into Frank's head:
"Brenda, do you know if the hospital is hiring?"
"I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
"I'm a doctor."
Forged degree, Harvard Medical School.
Forged résumé, Children's Hospital of Southern California.
For young Frank, it was all a piece of cake. Thus, with nothing else to do, Frank found a new career:
Dr. Frank Connors.
Frank's life as a doctor went more smoothly than expected. Although he faced some challenges, he managed to bluff his way through with his wit.
Meanwhile, women continued to be drawn to him, and Frank began a sweet romance with Nurse Brenda. Life seemed back on track.
Everything felt so perfect, so blissful, that Frank began to entertain another thought—
When he and Brenda were preparing to take their relationship to the next level, something unexpected happened. Brenda broke down.
Only then, Brenda cautiously revealed the truth: this wasn't her first time. Two years ago, she had an abortion, and after recovering, she was kicked out of her family home. For the past two years, she had pleaded with her lawyer father, but he refused to let her come back.
Holding the sobbing Brenda in his arms, Frank fell into deep thought.
Not long ago, during a night shift in the ER, a patient with a broken bone and covered in blood arrived. The on-duty doctor couldn't make a decision and called Frank in.
He almost slipped up, barely keeping his cool, and bluffed his way through by testing the on-duty doctor. But afterward, he was so disturbed by the bloody scene that he threw up. This made him realize he couldn't keep up the doctor charade for long.
And that wasn't the only thing on his mind.
Frank stared into the void, his gaze slowly unfocusing. Without realizing it, he tightened his hold on Brenda, deeply savoring the warmth and intimacy of the embrace, almost losing himself in it.
Brenda, feeling Frank's touch, was also caught up in the moment.
"…If you were engaged to a doctor, would that change anything?"
Dazed and nearly hypnotized, a thought from the depths of his mind slipped out.
Brenda froze, and Frank was taken aback by his own words.
Brenda: "What?"
Her voice snapped Frank's thoughts back to reality—
Family.
Frank had been running away from the collapse of his family, refusing to face it. All he ever wanted was to reunite his family, even if his father couldn't do it, he hoped he could.
But how?
Now?
Frank took a deep breath. That fleeting thought slowly became clear, and a determined look appeared in his bright blue eyes. He looked down at Brenda, his smile genuine, radiant, and full of happiness.
"What if I went to your parents and talked to your father, asked for his blessing, and permission for us to get married?"
Hic.
Caught off guard, Brenda hiccuped, staring at Frank in shock.
Not just Brenda, the whole theater seemed to freeze—
So sudden?
Yet, Melvin, fully immersed in the film, didn't find it jarring. Somehow, it felt as though an unseen character arc had quietly tied together every one of Frank's actions, smoothly intertwining with the plot, moving forward, keeping the audience glued to their seats.
Unexpected as it was, it didn't feel out of place. The film continued to grip the audience's attention, shifting into a dual-protagonist mode, with Frank and Carl busy in their own worlds.
Unbeknownst to Frank, Carl was still relentlessly pursuing him.
And getting closer.
Carl visited Frank Sr.'s house, trying to extract information about Frank Jr.
Frank Sr. immediately sensed something was off and casually lied, claiming that his son had forged an identity and was now serving in Vietnam.
But Carl, ever sharp, spotted Frank Jr.'s address in a pile of letters and immediately sent a team to Atlanta.
Unfortunately—
They were too late.
By the time Carl arrived in Atlanta, Frank had already left with Brenda for New Orleans.
Sitting in front of Brenda's parents, Frank nearly gave himself away.
Frank realized he couldn't continue pretending to be a doctor, so he planned to use Brenda's father's connections to become a lawyer in New Orleans. He casually lied, claiming he had attended UC Berkeley's law program before going to Harvard Medical School.
What he didn't expect was that Brenda's father was also a UC Berkeley graduate.
This was awkward.
Frank was almost certain that, under his future father-in-law's relentless questioning, his lie would be exposed. He was sure the man knew he had never attended UC Berkeley.
Did this mean all his other lies would soon be revealed too?
Standing on the edge of a cliff, alone in the study with his future father-in-law, Frank once again displayed his quick thinking.
"Tell me the truth, Frank. What are you doing here? What is someone like you doing with Brenda? If you want my blessing, if you want my daughter, I want to hear it from you now."
Low, calm, sharp, direct.
No wonder he was a lawyer.
Frank was cornered. He lowered his eyes in thought, his expression showing unprecedented sincerity.
"The truth is, sir…"
Was he about to reveal everything? Drop the façade and show his real self?
"The truth is, I'm not a doctor. I'm not a lawyer… I'm not a pilot either…"
Ha.
Melvin almost dropped his jaw. Around him, gasps filled the theater, and for a moment, everyone seemed to freeze.
The truth was at the tip of his tongue.
"I…" Frank took a deep breath, "I'm nothing."
And just like that, the biggest secret was out.
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