Catch Me If You Can Film Guide PDF

Catch Me If You Can
Viewing Guide
Catch Me If You Can
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Release date: December 2002
Running time: 141 mins
Genre: Biographical crime film
VIEWING RECOMMENDATIONS (Pre-viewing questions)

Read the recommendation before viewing the film
• Read the Pre-viewing discussion questions. Carefully read through the Pre-viewing
discussion questions in preparation for discussing what you already know about the
topic, setting and genre of the film in class or online.
• Discuss the Pre-viewing questions. After preparing your answers to the Pre-viewing
questions, discuss them with your classmates in class or online.
• Read the film synopsis. Reading the synopsis will help you understand the film’s
narrative. Use the short glossary under the synopsis to help you with more difficult
vocabulary.
• Watch the film in English. Watching films in English is an excellent way to improve
your English because films are an example of multimodal input – the simultaneous
presentation of audio, images and text – which makes comprehension easier.
• Use subtitles. Research findings strongly indicate that subtitles help students improve
listening comprehension and learn more vocabulary.
• Use subtitles in your first language at lower levels. When watching a film, a minimum
level is necessary to deal with subtitles in English. Therefore, for lower levels (A1, A2
and B1) it is better to watch with subtitles in your first language and progress to
subtitles in English when you have reached a higher level.
• Use subtitles in English at higher levels. Students at higher levels (B1+, B2, C1 and C2)
should watch films with subtitles in English.
• Work on vocabulary before viewing. Just watching films in English with subtitles will
help you improve your vocabulary, but research shows that if you work on the words
and expressions in the film before you watch, you learn even more vocabulary. So
carefully read the glossary of words and expressions before viewing.
• First viewing – watch the whole film for enjoyment and entertainment. Before
viewing the film for the first time read through the glossary and then watch the whole
film without pausing. Try to follow the story and use the subtitles to help you
understand the dialogues.
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2 theschoolfortraining.com film-english.com
© School for Training 2020 © Film English 2020
• Second viewing – watch the film section by section. After having watched the whole
film, re-read the first section of the glossary and watch the corresponding section of
the film a second time. As you watch try to notice how the vocabulary in the glossary
is used in the film. Follow the same procedure for the other sections of the film.
• Read the Post-viewing discussion questions. After viewing the film for a second time,
carefully read through the Post-viewing discussion questions in preparation for
discussing the film and your reaction to it in class or online.
• Discuss the Post-viewing questions. After preparing your answers to the Post-viewing
questions, discuss them with your classmates in class or online. Notice how you are
analysing the multiple facets of the film and making a personal response to the film.
• Make a personal multimodal response to the film. After discussing the Post-viewing
questions, make a personal response to the film by writing a multimodal review of the
film using print text, screenshots, video clips, music etc. or writing an analysis of key
scenes using print text and screenshots from the film, or recording a video summary
of the film and your response to it. Try to use some vocabulary in the glossary in your
response to the film.
• If you enjoyed the film, watch other films of the same genre.
TALK ABOUT THE FILM BEFORE VIEWING (Pre-viewing questions)

Discuss the questions before viewing the film.
SELF
• What films directed by Steven Spielberg have you seen? What genres of film were
they? Did you like them? Why or why not?
• What films starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio have you seen? What genres
of film were they? Did you like them? Why or why not?
• From the title, Catch Me If You Can, what do you think the film will be about? What
are the connotations of the words ‘catch me’? Review your guesses after the film.
• The film’s tagline is “The true story of a real fake”. What do you think this statement
means and what expectations does it create for the film you’re about to watch?
• What are your expectations of films in the biographical crime genre? Can you think of
any examples that you have seen?
• Many films deal with teenage runaways. What examples can you think of and how
does their story usually develop?
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FILM SYNOPSIS
Read the synopsis before viewing the film.
In 1963, teenager Frank Abagnale lives in New Rochelle, New York with his father Frank
Abagnale, Sr., and French mother, Paula. When Frank Sr. has tax problems, his family is
forced to move from their large home to a small apartment. Paula is having an affair with
Jack Barnes, her husband's friend. Meanwhile, Frank has to change to a public school and
gets into trouble1 when he pretends2 to be a substitute French teacher. Frank runs away3 to
New York City when his parents divorce. Needing money, he impersonates4 an airline pilot
and forges5 Pan Am pay cheques. Soon, his forgeries are worth millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Carl Hanratty begins tracking down Frank. Carl finds Frank at a hotel,
but Frank tricks Carl into believing he is a Secret Service agent and escapes.
Frank's cons6 now include impersonating a doctor and a lawyer. As Dr. Frank Conners, he falls
in love with Brenda, a young hospital worker. He asks Brenda's attorney father for permission
to marry her, and also wants his help with arranging to take a law exam, which Frank passes.
Carl tracks Frank to his and Brenda's engagement7 party, but Frank escapes through a
bedroom window minutes before Carl reaches him. Before leaving, Frank asks Brenda to
meet him at the Miami airport two days later.
At the airport, Frank sees Brenda, but also spots plainclothes agents everywhere and realises
Brenda has betrayed him. Frank then re-assumes his identity as a Pan Am pilot and recruits
eight women as stewardesses8, hides himself from Carl and the other agents walking through
the Miami airport with the stewardesses, and escapes on a flight to Madrid, Spain.
Carl visits Frank in prison. He shows Frank a cheque from a case he is working on, and Frank
immediately identifies that the bank teller9 was involved. Carl then convinces the FBI to allow
Frank to serve the rest of his sentence working for the FBI bank fraud10 unit. But Frank finds
the work boring and misses his former life. One weekend, he attempts to fly as an airline pilot
again. He is intercepted by Carl, who wants Frank to return to the FBI on Monday and assures
Frank that no one is chasing him. On the following Monday, Carl grows nervous when Frank
has not yet arrived at the office. However, Frank eventually arrives, and they discuss their
next case.
1
trouble: a problem, worry, difficulty, etc. or a situation causing this
2
pretend: to behave as if something is true when you know it is not
3
run away: to leave someone or a place suddenly; to escape from someone or a place
4
impersonate: to pretend to be someone in order to trick people
5
forge: to make an illegal copy of something in order to cheat people
6
con: an act of cheating someone
7
engagement: an agreement to marry someone
8
stewardess: an old-fashioned word for a female flight attendant
9
teller: a person who works in a bank
10
fraud: the crime of cheating someone in order to get money or goods illegally
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GLOSSARY
Read the section summaries, and glossary of words and expressions before viewing the film.
In 1963, teenager Frank Abagnale lives in New Rochelle, New York with his father Frank
Abagnale, Sr., and French mother, Paula. When Frank Sr. has tax problems, his family is
forced to move from their large home to a small apartment. Paula has an affair with Frank
Barnes, her husband's friend. Meanwhile, Frank has to change to a public school and gets
into trouble when he pretends to be a substitute French teacher. Frank runs away to New
York City when his parents divorce.
truth /truːθ/ (n) the state or quality of being true

• Just tell me the truth.
• Do you think she’s telling the truth?
• So now we know the truth.
outrageous /aʊtˈreɪdʒəs/ (adj) shocking and morally unacceptable

• His behaviour was completely outrageous.
• The prices in this shop are outrageous.
• It’s outrageous that the poor should pay so much tax.
impostor /ɪmˈpɒstə(r)/ (n) a person who pretends to be someone else in order to trick people
• The doctor was soon discovered to be an impostor.
• He claimed to be a lawyer but he was really an impostor.
• I felt like an impostor among all those intelligent people.
impersonate /ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/ (v) to pretend to be someone in order to trick people or to

entertain them; to intentionally copy another person's appearance, behaviour and voice, to
make people laugh
• He was arrested for impersonating a police officer
• He does a good job of impersonating the president
• He’s hilarious when he impersonates his boss.
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pilot /ˈpaɪlət/ (n) a person who flies an aircraft
• He wanted to be a fighter pilot when he was a child.
• She’s an airline pilot.
• The accident was caused by pilot error.
paediatrician /ˌpiːdiəˈtrɪʃn/ (n) a doctor who treats children and their illnesses
• She’s a paediatrician at Saint George’s Hospital.
• He went to medical school and became a paediatrician.
• The paediatrician promised to phone in a prescription this morning.
attorney /əˈtɜːni/ (n) US a lawyer

• I’ve got a meeting with my divorce attorney this afternoon.
• She hired a high-profile defence attorney to represent her.
• She’s an attorney specialising in copyright law
daring /ˈdeərɪŋ/ (adj) brave and taking risks; involving danger or taking risks
• The criminal’s actions were very daring.
• She’s become much more daring as she’s got older.
• The police carried out a daring rescue attempt.
conman /ˈkɒnmæn/ (n) a man who tricks others into giving him money, etc.
• Police have descriptions of the two conmen.
• The conman tricked elderly people into signing over their properties to him.
• I wasn’t taken in by the conman.
talent /ˈtælənt/ (n) a natural ability to do something well

• You’ve got a natural talent for photography.
• She showed a talent for writing at an early age.
• You’re a woman of many talents.
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bright /braɪt/ (adj) intelligent and quick at learning things
• She was the brightest pupil in the class.
• He’s full of bright ideas.
• Joe’s very nice but not terribly bright.
fellow /ˈfeləʊ/ (n) old-fashioned a man

• He seems like a decent fellow.
• His grandfather is a nice old fellow.
• Paul’s an easy-going sort of fellow.
fascinating /ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/ (adj) extremely interesting

• I found her latest novel fascinating.
• That sounds absolutely fascinating.
• Her performance in the film was fascinating to watch.
fool /fuːl/ (v) to trick someone into believing something that is not true
• You can’t fool me!
• He fooled a lot of people.
• She was fooled into handing over the money.
extradition /ˌekstrəˈdɪʃn/ (n) the act of officially sending back someone who has been accused
or found guilty of a crime to the country where the crime was committed
• Her lawyers say she plans to fight extradition.
• The Irish government have applied for his extradition to Ireland.
• There is no extradition treaty between the two countries.
responsible /rɪˈspɒnsəbl/ (adj) sensible and able to make good decisions on your own
• I know I can rely on you – you’re so responsible.
• You can leave the children with Theresa – she’s very responsible.
• He has a very responsible attitude to work.
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humble /ˈhʌmbl/ (v) to make someone feel that they are not as good or important as they
thought they were
• I’m humbled by your generosity.
• The world champion was humbled in last night’s race.
• We were all humbled by their hospitality.
honour /ˈɒnə(r)/ (v) to do something that shows great respect for someone or something
• I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award.
• We’re honoured to have you here tonight.
• I would be honoured to meet her.
loving /ˈlʌvɪŋ/ (adj) showing love and care for someone

• He seemed to be a loving husband.
• She’s a very loving child.
• They’re such a warm and loving family.
quit /kwɪt/ (v) to stop doing something

• I refuse to quit. I’m going to finish this job.
• Quit wasting my time!
• Just quit it!
literally /ˈlɪtərəli/ (adv) using the real meaning of a word or phrase

• Literally billions of people watch the Word Cup.
• I live literally around the corner from you.
• There were literally thousands of complaints about the TV programme.
buddy /ˈbʌdi/ (n) US a friend

• Charles is an old college buddy of mine.
• We’ve been buddies since we were kids.
• I’d like you to meet my old buddy Phil.
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in a fix /ɪn ə fɪks/ (idm) a difficult situation
• We’re got ourselves in a fix.
• How did they get in such a fix?
• My parents lent me some money because I was in a fix.
funeral /ˈfjuːnərəl/ (n) a ceremony, usually a religious one, for burying or burning a dead
person
• The funeral will be held next Thursday.
• Over 300 people attended the funeral.
• She read out a poem at the funeral.
borrow /ˈbɒrəʊ/ (v) to take and use something that belongs to someone else, and return it to
them later
• She used to borrow money from me and never pay it back.
• Can I borrow your pen for a minute?
• Could I borrow twenty pounds until next week?
loan /ləʊn/ (v) US to lend something, especially money, to someone,

• He asked the bank to loan him $20,000.
• My mother loaned me $2,000.
• Can you loan me ten dollars?
guys /ɡaɪz/ (n) a group of people of either sex

• Hey, guys. How’s it going?
• Are you guys coming to the party?
• Come on, guys, let’s get going!
investigate /ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/ (v) to carefully examine the facts of a situation, an event, a crime,
etc. to discover the truth about it or how it happened
• Police are investigating allegations of corruption involving senior politicians.
• The FBI were called in to investigate.
• The case has been thoroughly investigated.
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fraud /frɔːd/ (n) the crime of cheating someone in order to get money or goods illegally
• He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for tax fraud.
• They have been charged with credit card fraud.
• She was found guilty of fraud.
threaten /ˈθretn/ (v) to say that you will hurt someone or cause trouble if you do not get
what you want
• The robbers threatened the shopkeeper with a gun.
• She threatened to take the company to court.
• I felt threatened by him.
look for /lʊk fə/ (phr v) to try to find something that you have lost, or someone who is not
where they should be
• I’m looking for Jade – have you seen her?
• Police are still looking for the escaped prisoner.
• ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m looking for my glasses. They were here a minute ago’
turn down /tɜːn daʊn/ (phr v) to reject an offer or proposal, or the person who makes it.
• He asked the bank for a loan but they turned him down.
• They offered me the job but I turned it down.
• He asked her to marry him but she turned him down.
regret /rɪˈɡret/ (v) used to say in a polite or formal way that you are sorry or sad about a
situation
• I very much regret I can’t come to the meeting.
• We regret to inform you that the flight to Berlin is delayed by two hours.
• We regret to inform you that you contract will not be renewed.
pretend /prɪˈtend/ (v) to behave as if something is true when you know it is not, especially in
order to deceive people
• He pretended he was rich.
• She pretended she had a cold so she wouldn’t have to go to school.
• He pretended to his wife that everything was fine.
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prom /prɒm/ (n) a formal dance party held for older students at the end of the school year
• Who are you taking to the prom?
• Rob walked me home after prom.
• The band at the prom were really good.
lawyer /ˈlɔɪə(r)/ (n) a person whose job is to advise people about laws and to represent them
in court
• Have you spoken to a lawyer?
• If you’re not sure of your legal rights, I’d check with a lawyer.
• My lawyer thinks I’ve got a good case.
sue /suː/ (v) to take legal action against a person or organisation, especially by making a legal
claim for money because of some harm that they have caused you
• She’s suing her former employer for unfair dismissal.
• They threatened to sue the company for negligence.
• If they don’t complete the work on time, we’ll sue.
promise /ˈprɒmɪs/ (v) to tell someone that you will definitely do or not do something
• She’s promised to do everything she can to help.
• ‘Promise not to tell anyone.’ ‘I promise.’
• He promised to call me this evening.
divorce /dɪˈvɔːs/ (n) the legal ending of a marriage

• If he’s so unhappy, why doesn’t he get a divorce?
• They’ve agreed to get a divorce.
• One in three marriages ends in divorce.
custody /ˈkʌstədi/ (n) the legal right or duty to take care of someone, especially a child after
its parents have divorced
• He’s going to try and get custody of his kids.
• The parents were given joint custody of their children.
• The mother got custody of the child.
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scared /skeəd/ (adj) frightened or worried
• Don’t look so scared. Everything’s going to be fine.
• I’m scared of telling my parents what really happened.
• Don’t be scared to ask questions.
wrong /rɒŋ/ (adj) not correct

• The police arrested the wrong man.
• He got all the questions wrong.
• I’m sorry, I must have got the wrong number.
Needing money, Frank turns to confidence scams to survive. He impersonates an airline

pilot and forges Pan Am pay cheques. Soon, his forgeries are worth millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Carl Hanratty begins tracking down Frank. Carl finds Frank at a hotel,
but Frank cons Carl into believing he is a Secret Service agent who is also after the
fraudster, and escapes before Carl realises that he was fooled.
pleasure /ˈpleʒə(r)/ (n) a feeling of happiness, enjoyment or satisfaction

• It’s a pleasure to meet you.
• Her books have given enormous pleasure to many children.
• I get a lot of pleasure from travelling.
autograph /ˈɔːtəɡrɑːf/ (n) a famous person’s signature (= their name written by them)
• Could I have your autograph, please?
• She signed her autograph for a young girl.
• I’ve got the autograph of every player in the team.
guess /ɡes/ (v) to try to give an answer or opinion about something without knowing all the
facts
• I don’t really know – I’m just guessing.
• I guess he’s upset because we forgot his birthday.
• I guess he might come later.
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relax /rɪˈlæks/ (v) to rest and become calmer while you are doing something that you enjoy,
especially after working
• I just want to sit down, have a cold drink and relax.
• Just relax and enjoy the film.
• A hot bath always helps me relax.
pay cheque /ˈpeɪtʃek/ (n) a cheque that someone receives as payment for their wages or
salary; the amount of money you earn
• I’ve only got $50 to live on until my next pay cheque.
• She’s going to get a nice fat pay cheque in her new job.
• I hope that when I get my next pay cheque, I’ll be able to repay the money I borrowed
from the bank.
honest /ˈɒnɪst/ (adj) always telling the truth, and never stealing or cheating
• Do you want my honest opinion?
• She one of the most honest people I’ve ever met.
• He’s a hardworking honest man.
fear /fɪə(r)/ (v) to be frightened of someone or something or frightened of doing something

• What do you fear most?
• It was a terrifying experience in which she feared for her life.
• They feared going out at night.
run away /rʌn əˈweɪ/ (phr v) to leave someone or a place suddenly; to escape from someone
or a place
• He ran away from home when he was 15.
• They ran away to get married.
• Police thing the missing teenager has run away from home.
graduation /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃn/ (n) the act of successfully completing studies at secondary school
or a degree at university, or the ceremony to celebrate you have completed
• My first job after graduation was in London.
• We’re going to Jill’s graduation next week.
• After graduation, she wants to travel in Latin America.
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benefit /ˈbenɪfɪt/ (n) an advantage that you get from a company in addition to the money
that you earn
• In addition to my salary, I get medical benefits.
• Private health insurance is offered as part of all of our employees' benefits package
• The benefits include a company car and pension.
slide /slaɪd/ (n) one page of an electronic presentation, that contains text and images, that is
usually viewed on a computer screen or projected onto a larger screen
• The presentation was a disaster! My slides were all in the wrong order.
• I’m working on the slides for my presentation.
• It’s important to not have too much text on each slide.
unfamiliar /ˌʌnfəˈmɪliə(r)/ (adj) not known to you

• I was quite unfamiliar with the town.
• Her name was unfamiliar to me.
• There were a lot of unfamiliar faces in the room.
fancy /ˈfænsi/ (adj) expensive or luxurious

• Karen took me to a fancy restaurant last night.
• We stayed in a fancy hotel on Fifth Avenue.
• Their children go to a fancy private school.
air conditioning /ˈeə kəndɪʃənɪŋ/ (n) a system that cools the air in a building or car
• Shall we turn on the air conditioning?
• I wish my car had air conditioning.
• If you leave the windows open, the air conditioning doesn’t work properly.
worried /ˈwʌrid/ (adj) unhappy because you are thinking about unpleasant things that have
happened or might happen
• I’m really worried about my mother.
• He’s worried he won’t find a new job.
• Don’t look so worried!
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goddamn /ˈɡɒdam/ (adj, adv, excl) used informally for emphasising what you are saying,
especially when you are annoyed or angry
• Where’s my goddamn phone?
• She’s so goddamn rude.
• Goddamn it, how much longer will I have to wait?
stubborn /ˈstʌbən/ (adj) determined to do what you want; determined not to change your
opinion or attitude
• Why are you being so stubborn?
• We argue a lot because we’ve both so stubborn.
• She was too stubborn to admit she was wrong.
toast /təʊst/ (n) the act of lifting up and drinking a glass of wine etc. to wish someone luck, or
celebrate something
• We made a toast to the happy couple.
• I’d like to propose a toast to the bride and groom.
• I want to make a toast to our dear friend Frankie.
stare /steə(r)/ (v) to look at something or someone for a long time without moving your eyes
• Don’t stare at people, it’s rude.
• What are you staring at?
• When I dropped my glass, everyone in the room turned to stare at me.
powerful /ˈpaʊəfl/ (adj) having a lot of power to control people and events
• The President of the USA is generally considered to be the most powerful person in the
world.
• She an extremely powerful woman.
• China is becoming increasingly powerful.
screw up /skruː ʌp/ (phr v) to make a serious mistake

• I really screwed up this time, didn’t I?
• You really screwed up there!
• He really screwed up his life when he had an affair.
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punish /ˈpʌnɪʃ/ (v) to make someone suffer because they have broken the law or done
something wrong
• Violent criminals need to be severely punished.
• She punished the class by giving them extra homework.
• It’s unfair to punish a whole class for the actions of one pupil.
background check /ˈbækgraʊnd ʧek/ (n) an examination by an employer of the background

of someone who wants to work for them; a police investigation into a person’s past to make
sure they have no criminal record
• The airport has conducted background checks on 5,000 personnel who have access to
secure areas.
• All applicants can expect a thorough background check.
• The police carried out a background check on the suspect and found he’d never been
convicted of any crime.
bother /ˈbɒðə(r)/ (v) to annoy, worry or upset someone

• Is the smoke bothering you?
• The noise was bothering us, so we left.
• I’m sorry to bother you but could you help me lift the suitcase?
joke /dʒəʊk/ (n) something that you say to make people laugh, especially a funny story
• I can’t tell jokes.
• Do you know any good jokes?
• I didn’t get the joke.
go fuck yourself /gəʊ fʌk jɔːˈself/ (idm) offensive used to show you are extremely angry with
someone
• Go fuck yourself!
• He told his boss to go fuck himself.
• Why don’t you tell her to go fuck herself?
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take care /teɪk keər/ (idm) used when saying goodbye
• See you Janet. Take care of yourself.
• ‘Take care, Paul.’ ‘You too.’
• Take care, OK?
shut up /ʃʌt ʌp/ (phr v) impolite used to tell someone to stop talking
• Just shut up and listen!
• Oh, shut up! I don’t want to hear your excuses.
• Shut up about your new car!
nervous /ˈnɜːvəs/ (adj) worried and anxious about something

• I get so nervous before exams.
• She was so nervous about the interview she couldn’t sleep.
• I always get nervous when I have to do a presentation.
trust /trʌst/ (v) to believe that someone is good, fair and honest and will not harm you
• We trust each other.
• I just don’t trust Richard.
• Can they be trusted to do the job properly?
Frank's cons now include impersonating a doctor and a lawyer. As Dr. Frank Conners, he
falls in love with Brenda, a naive young hospital worker. He asks Brenda's attorney father
for permission to marry her, and also wants his help with arranging to take a law exam,
which Frank passes. Carl tracks Frank to his and Brenda's engagement party, but Frank
escapes through a bedroom window minutes before Carl reaches him. Before leaving,
Frank asks Brenda to meet him at the Miami airport two days later.
mistake /mɪˈsteɪk/ (n) an action or an opinion that is not correct, or that produces an
unwanted or unintentional result
• I made a stupid mistake.
• He’s making a big mistake.
• You have to learn from your mistakes.
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humiliate /hjuːˈmɪlieɪt/ (v) make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed and lose respect for
himself or herself
• My boss humiliated me when he shouted at me in front of everyone.
• She’s never been so humiliated in her life.
• I humiliated myself when I asked my parents for money.
mood /muːd/ (n) the way that someone is feeling at a particular time
• She’s always in a good mood.
• I’m not in the mood for this right now.
• Don’t speak to him – he’s in one of his moods.
come on /kʌm ɒn/ (phr v) used in orders to tell someone to hurry or to try harder
• Come on! We haven’t got all day.
• Come on! Try again.
• Come on – we’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.
offer /ˈɒfə(r)/ (n) an act of saying that you are willing to do something for someone or give
something to someone
• Make me an offer.
• She’s received two job offers since graduating.
• We accepted their generous offer.
suspicious /səˈspɪʃəs/ (adj) making you feel that something is illegal or wrong
• She disappeared in suspicious circumstances.
• Their behaviour was very suspicious.
• There was a suspicious man standing outside their house so they called the police.
track down /træk daʊn/ (phr v) to find something or someone after looking for them in a lot
of different places
• The police are going to track down the killer.
• Detectives had tracked her down in New Mexico.
• We finally managed to track down the reference in a book of quotations.
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apologise /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/ (v) to tell someone that you are sorry for doing something wrong or
causing a problem
• ‘I’m so sorry.’ ‘Don’t apologise. You haven’t done anything wrong.’
• He knew he was wrong and apologised.
• I think you should apologise to your sister
fool /fuːl/ (n) a person who behaves or speaks in a silly way without thinking
• Don’t be such a fool!
• He’s a fool if he thinks she loves him.
• I made a fool of myself in front of the whole class.
get caught /get kɔːt/ (idm) to be discovered doing something you shouldn’t be doing
• He got caught by the police when he was driving to London.
• He got caught smoking and was grounded for a week.
• She got caught trying to escape from the prison.
missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ (adj) (of a person) not at home; not found

• She’s been missing for a week and her parents have filed a missing person’s report.
• Her father has been missing since 1999.
• The girl went missing on a family holiday.
felony /ˈfeləni/ (n) US the act of committing a serious crime such as murder, kidnapping
or rape
• She pleaded guilty to seven felonies.
• He was convicted of a felony.
• She was charged with felony assault.
trouble /ˈtrʌbl/ (idm) a problem, worry, difficulty, etc. or a situation causing this
• He’s been in a lot of trouble with the police.
• I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.
• I’m having trouble with the new computer system.
_
worry /ˈwʌri/ (v) to keep thinking about unpleasant things that might happen or about
problems that you have in a way that makes you unhappy or frightened
• I wouldn’t worry about it.
• He’s worried he won’t find a new job.
• Don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of time.
fire /ˈfaɪə(r)/ (v) to remove someone from their job

• ‘Did you get fired?’ ‘No, I quit.’
• My boss fired me for being late.
• She got fired from her last job.
braces /ˈbreɪsɪz/ (n) a system of metal wires that people, usually children, wear on their teeth
to make them grow straight
• My daughter’s going to have braces fitted next month.
• My braces are quite painful when I eat.
• The dentist charged us a lot for the braces.
diagnose /ˈdaɪəɡnəʊz/ (v) to say exactly what an illness or the cause of a problem
• The specialist diagnosed lung cancer.
• She was diagnosed as a diabetic when she was 35.
• His condition was wrongly diagnosed by the doctor.
pretty /ˈprɪti/ (adj) pleasant to look at especially of girls and women

• Her daughter is so pretty.
• My younger sister is prettier than me.
• You’ve got a pretty smile.
hire /ˈhaɪə(r)/ (v) to give someone a job or pay someone to do a particular job
• They hired a lawyer to handle the case.
• I’m sorry, we’re not hiring at the moment.
• I hired someone to paint the house.
_
settle down /ˈsetl daʊn/ (phr v) to start to have a quieter way of life, living in one place
usually with a romantic partner
• Eventually I’d like to settle down and have a family.
• When are going to get married and settle down?
• I don’t feel I’m ready to settle down yet.
emergency room /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi ruːm/ (n) US the part of a hospital where people go when they
are ill or injured and need treatment quickly
• She was rushed to the emergency room.
• The doctor in the emergency room notified the police.
• I had to wait for three hours in the emergency room.
incredible /ɪnˈkredəbl/ (adj) extremely good

• I feel incredible!
• The view was incredible.
• You’re pretty incredible, Maggie.
X-ray /ˈeks reɪ/ (n) a photograph that examine bones and organs inside the body
• We need to take an X-ray of your arm.
• The doctor studied the X-ray of her lungs.
• The tumour showed up on the X-ray.
make yourself at home /meɪk jɔːˈsɛlf æt həʊm / (idm) used to tell someone to relax and feel
comfortable in your home
• Welcome. Make yourself at home.
• Take a seat. Make yourself at home.
• What a pleasant surprise. Please make yourself at home.
cop /kɒp/ (n) informal a police officer

• He threatened to call the cops.
• They got caught by the cops.
• He pulled out his badge and said he was a cop.
_
arrest /əˈrest/ (v) when a person is taken to a police station because the police think they
have done something illegal
• Police have arrested five suspects.
• He was arrested for drinking and driving.
• She was arrested and charged with corruption.
fake /feɪk/ (n) an object that is made to look real or valuable in order to deceive people:
• Experts revealed that the painting was a fake.
• He was wearing a fake Rolex watch.
• They’ve got fake ID cards so they can get into pubs and clubs.
ID /ˌaɪˈdiː/ (n) an abbreviation for identification: an official card or document that shows your
name and date of birth, usually with a photograph to prove who you are
• Do you have any ID?
• In many countries you have to carry ID at all times.
• I had to show ID before I was allowed into the building.
criminal /ˈkrɪmɪnl/ (n) a person who commits a crime

• The police told the criminal he had the right to remain silent.
• He’s a convicted criminal.
• Police have described the man as a violent and dangerous criminal.
kick out /kɪk aʊt/ (phr v) to make someone leave or go away

• They kicked him out of school for fighting.
• His wife kicked him out.
• She was kicked out of university for cheating.
mad /mæd/ (adj) very angry

• Don’t be mad at me.
• Why are you so mad at me?
• I get so mad when people are rude.
_
engaged /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/ (adj) having formally agreed to get married
• How long were you engaged before you got married?
• Sam and Sean have just got engaged.
• She’s engaged to a guy she met on holiday.
permission /pəˈmɪʃn/ (n) the act of allowing someone to do something, especially when this is
done by someone in a position of authority
• He had taken the car without his father’s permission.
• Students have to ask for permission to leave the classroom.
• You need permission from your parents to go on the trip.
marry /ˈmæri/ (v) to become the husband or wife of someone

• She married an Australian.
• He never married.
• He doesn’t want to marry Kath.
grace /ɡreɪs/ (n) a short prayer that is usually said before a meal to thank God for the food
• Let’s say grace.
• My family says grace before every meal.
• Before we eat, I’d like to say grace.
mean /miːn/ (adj) unkind or unpleasant

• Why are you being so mean?
• Don’t be so mean.
• He’s really mean to his brother.
unfortunate /ʌnˈfɔːtʃənət/ (adj) having bad luck; caused by bad luck

• It was an unfortunate accident.
• We were unfortunate to lose the game.
• ‘I’m not feeling very well.’ ‘How unfortunate.’
_
in love /ɪn lʌv/ (idm) a strong feeling of romantic attraction for someone
• They’re madly in love.
• He was in love with her.
• They fell in love immediately.
confess /kənˈfes/ (v) to admit, especially to the police, that you have done something wrong
or illegal
• He confessed to the murder.
• She confessed to being a spy.
• Her husband confessed he’d been having an affair with a woman in his office.
foolish /ˈfuːlɪʃ/ (adj) stupid or not showing good judgement

• It was a foolish idea.
• That was a very foolish thing to do.
• It would be foolish to ignore their advice.
go ahead /gəʊ əˈhed/ (phr v) said to someone in order to give them permission to start to do
something
• ‘Could I ask you a personal question?’ ‘Sure, go ahead.’
• ‘Can I start now?’ Yes, go ahead.’
• ‘Can I have the sports section’ ‘Yeah, go ahead. I’ve already read it.’
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ (adj) feeling fear; frightened because you think that you may be hurt or suffer
• There’s no need to be afraid.
• I was afraid of the dark when I was a child.
• I’ve always been afraid of spiders.
cheat /tʃiːt/ (v) to act in a dishonest way in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, a
competition, an exam, etc.
• He was caught cheating in his maths exam.
• They cheat on their taxes.
• Don’t look at my cards – that’s cheating!
_
split /splɪt/ (v) to divide into two or more parts and share it between different people
• Let’s split the bill.
• My girlfriend and I split the rent.
• Do you want to split this sandwich with me?
figure out /ˈfɪgər aʊt/ (phr v) to understand or solve something

• It took the police a long time to figure who committed the murder.
• I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about.
• We can’t figure Mick out.
sooner or later /ˈsuːnə ə ˈleɪtə/ (idm) used to say something will happen at some time in the
future, even if you are not sure exactly when
• Her husband is going to find out about her affair sooner or later.
• You’re going to have to tell him you don’t love him sooner or later.
• Sooner or later he’s going to realise what a mistake he’s made.
prosecutor /ˈprɒsɪkjuːtə(r)/ (n) a public official who charges someone officially with a crime
and prosecutes them in court
• The chief prosecutor told the court Smith was guilty of a horrible crime.
• The prosecutor rose to give the opening address.
• A special prosecutor was appointed to deal with the case.
jury /ˈdʒʊəri/ (n) a group of people who have been chosen to listen to all the facts in a trial in
a law court and to decide if a person is guilty or not guilty
• The jury delivered a verdict of not guilty.
• The jury found the two defendants guilty.
• The jury were unanimous in their verdict.
evidence /ˈevɪdəns/ (n) facts or signs that show clearly that something exists or is true; the
information that is used in court to try to prove something
• The police say they have no evidence of a terrorist link to the murder.
• She refused to give evidence at the trial.
• He was released when the judge ruled there was no evidence against him.
_
defendant /dɪˈfendənt/ (n) the person in a trial who is accused of committing a crime
• The jury found the defendant guilty on all counts.
• The defendant was found guilty of tax fraud.
• The defendant was charged with murder.
lie /laɪ/ (v) to say or write something that is not true in order to deceive someone
• How could you lie to me?
• Don’t trust him – he’s lying.
• She lied about her age to get the job.
scare /skeə(r)/ (v) to make someone feel frightened

• Are you trying to scare me?
• Loud noises can scare animals.
• He was driving very fast just to scare us.
chase /tʃeɪs/ (v) to run, drive, etc. after someone or something in order to catch them or it
• The police chased after the suspect but they didn’t catch him.
• The children were chasing each other around the garden.
• She was chasing a man who snatched her bag.
engagement /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (n) an agreement to marry someone

• They had a huge engagement party.
• Their engagement was announced in The Times.
• Toby was stunned when Rebecca called off their engagement.
get married /get ˈmærɪd/ (idm) to begin a legal relationship with someone as their husband
or wife
• Did you know they’re going to get married next year?
• When did you get married?
• Carl and Patty got married last year.
_
brand new /ˌbrænd ˈnjuː/ (adj) completely new.
• Her car looks brand new.
• How can he afford to buy a brand-new Harley Davidson?
• I’ve just bought a brand-new laptop.
truce /truːs/ (n) an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for
an agreed period of time
• We can’t keep on arguing like this. Let’s call a truce.
• After years of rivalry the two companies have agreed to a truce.
• The two sides have been unable to negotiate a truce.
crash /kræʃ/ (v) to go to a party or other event without an invitation

• Let’s crash the party at the hotel.
• We tried to crash the party but the bouncers wouldn’t let us in.
• They crashed the party and had a wild time.
groom /ɡruːm/ (n) a man on his wedding day, or just before or just after it
• The bride and groom kissed.
• The groom was late for the wedding.
• The groom looked very handsome.
graduate /ˈɡrædʒueɪt/ (n) a person who has a university degree

• She’s a graduate in political science.
• He’s a recent graduate.
• She’s a graduate from Birmingham University.
At the airport, Frank sees Brenda, but also spots plainclothes agents everywhere and
realises Brenda has betrayed him. Frank then re-assumes his identity as a Pan Am pilot and
recruits eight women as stewardesses, conceals himself from Carl and the other agents
walking through the Miami airport with the stewardesses, and escapes on a flight to
Madrid, Spain.
_
departure /dɪˈpɑːtʃə(r)/ (n) a plane, train, etc. leaving a place at a particular time
• Check our website for the flight times for departures from Glasgow airport.
• There are several departures for Paris every day.
• I sat in the departure lounge waiting for my flight to be called.
campus /ˈkæmpəs/ (n) the buildings of a university or college and the land around them
• Most first-year students live on campus.
• The university has a beautiful campus in New England.
• The campus was built in the 1960s.
stewardess /ˌstjuːəˈdes/ (n) old-fashioned a female flight attendant

• When she was a child, she wanted to be a stewardess for British Airways.
• Pan Am used to train its stewardesses in Miami.
• They met when she was working as a stewardess.
friendly /ˈfrendli/ (adj) behaving in a kind and pleasant way to someone

• The staff in the restaurant are all really friendly.
• Our neighbours have always been very friendly to us.
• Everyone was so friendly towards me.
help out /help aʊt/ (phr v) to help someone because they are busy or have problems
• Do you need me to help you out with the kids?
• My sister said she’d help out with a loan.
• I’m always willing to help out.
pick someone up /pɪk ˈsʌmwʌn ʌp/ (phr v) to go somewhere in your car and collect someone
who is waiting for you
• I’ll pick you up at ten.
• It’s my turn to pick up the kids from school, isn’t it?
• I’m sorry but I can’t pick you up from the train station tomorrow.
_
get away /get əˈweɪ/ (phr v) to escape from someone or a place
• The police let the criminal get away.
• The robbers got away in a stolen car.
• The thieves got away with jewellery worth over $100,000.
full of shit /fʊl ɒv ʃɪt/ (idm) an impolite expression to say that someone often says things that
are incorrect or stupid
• Don’t listen to Richard. He’s full of shit.
• You’re so full of shit!
• This article is so full of shit.
embarrassed /ɪmˈbærəst/ (adj) feeling shy, ashamed or stupid

• I was too embarrassed to admit I’d forgotten.
• He looked a little embarrassed.
• He felt embarrassed at being the centre of attention
angry /ˈæŋɡri/ (adj) having strong feelings about something that you dislike very much or
about an unfair situation
• I don’t understand why she’s so angry about.
• She’s really angry with Pete.
• Their behaviour made me really angry.
swear /sweə(r)/ (v) to promise that you are telling the truth
• I swear to God I had nothing to do with it.
• I don’t know what happened to the car, I swear.
• He swore blind, he’d never seen her before.
take into account /teɪk ˈɪntuː əˈkaʊnt/ (idm) to consider or remember something when
judging a situation
• I think you should take into account that he’s a lot younger than the rest of us.
• Compensation awards take into account pain and suffering caused to the victim.
• My teacher took into account that I was ill before the exams when she marked my
paper.
_
respect /rɪˈspekt/ (n) politeness and care shown towards someone or something that is
considered important
• You’ve got a lack of respect for your teachers!
• He showed no respect for her feelings.
• It’s important to treat everyone with respect.
isolation /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (n) the act of separating someone or something; the state of being
separate
• Many refugees experience isolation.
• The prisoner was kept in isolation for two weeks.
• After her husband died, she experienced a feeling of complete isolation.
sentence /ˈsentəns/ (n) a punishment that a judge gives to someone who is guilty of a crime
• The judge gave him a 20-year sentence.
• She received an 11-year prison sentence.
• The charges carry a sentence of up to 15 years.
Carl visits Frank in prison. He shows Frank a check from a case he is working on, and Frank
immediately identifies that the bank teller was involved. Carl then convinces the FBI to
allow Frank to serve the remainder of his sentence working for the FBI bank fraud unit. But
Frank finds the work boring and misses his former life. One weekend, he attempts to fly as
an airline pilot again. He is intercepted by Carl, who wants Frank to return to the FBI on
Monday. On the following Monday, Carl grows nervous when Frank has not yet arrived at
the office. However, Frank eventually arrives, and they discuss their next case.
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ (adj) mentally ill

• You’re driving me crazy!
• I think I’d go crazy if I lived there.
• They looked at me as if I were crazy.
convince /kənˈvɪns/ (v) to make someone believe that something is true

• His arguments didn’t convince anyone.
• The doctor tried to convinced him that he wasn’t really ill.
• The defendant managed to convince the jury of her innocence.
_
remarry /ˌriːˈmæri/ (v) to marry again
• My parent divorced when I was five and they’ve both remarried.
• After his wife died, he swore he would never remarry.
• My first husband died ten years ago and I remarried last year.
look /lʊk/ (n) the act of looking at someone or something

• Here, take a look at this.
• Can I have a look at your dictionary?
• Did you get a look at her new boyfriend?
check out /ʧɛk aʊt/ (phr v) to find out if something is correct, or if someone is acceptable
• The police are going to check out his alibi.
• I made a phone call to check out her address.
• We’ll have to check him out before we employ him!
smart /smɑːt/ (adj) intelligent

• She’s such a smart young woman.
• His teacher says he’s one of the smartest kids in the class.
• He’s obviously a smart guy but he’s a bit arrogant
_
TALK ABOUT THE FILM AFTER VIEWING (Post-viewing questions)
Discuss the questions after viewing the film.
STORY
• Why does Frank run away to New York City?
• Why does Frank impersonate an airline pilot? How does he do this?
• When Carl Hanratty catches Frank in the hotel how does Frank get away?
• What happens at Frank and Brenda’s engagement party?
• How does Frank get away to Europe?
• Why do you think Frank agrees to work for the FBI?
• Why does Carl want to help Frank?
• Why do you think that Frank chooses to continue to work for the FBI at the end of the
film?
CHARACTER
• How did you feel towards Frank at the start of the film? How does his character
develop throughout the narrative?
• How does the film convince us to empathise and relate to Frank, despite his dishonest
and illegal behaviour? Give examples to support your answer.
• How would you describe Carl’s character? What changes do we see in him?
• Why do you think Frank and Carl eventually form a strong bond? What do they have
in common?
• How would you describe the character of Frank’s father? What do these early scenes
tell us about his character?
• How would you describe the relationship between Frank and his father? In what ways
does it alter over the course of the film?
• How would you characterise the relationship between Frank and his mother?
• What techniques does Steven Spielberg use to help us relate more to the characters?
Think about the dialogue, performances, camera and editing.
_
SETTING
• The film has many different settings. How did you feel they affected the story? Make
a list of the settings you noticed and how they complemented the action.
• How is the USA presented in the film? What do you think is similar and different from
the country in the modern day?
• How do the filmmakers remind you that this film is set in the 1960s? What can you
remember that stands out from the era?
SOCIAL ISSUES
• How does the film comment on social success? Does the film support or undermine
the idea that people are a product of their environment?
• How is the theme of divorce explored in the film? Do you think it was effective? Why
or why not?
• How is the theme of criminality explored in the film? Do you think it was effective?
Why or why not?
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

• What do you think of the film’s representation of America and American culture?
• How is the culture represented in the film similar or different to culture in your
country? Give examples?
• What different social classes are represented in the film? How are they represented?
SELF
• Do you think that Frank makes good choices in the film? Are there any points when
you would have behaved differently?
• Why do you think it was significant for two major movie stars to have been cast in the
central roles? What effect was this intended to have on the audience’s response and
the film’s mass appeal?
• How does the film use comedy? Do you think it is effective? Why or why not?
• How did you feel when you found out that the film was based on a true story?
_
A PERSONAL MULTIMODAL REPONSE TO THE FILM
Choose one of the three options to make your own personal response to the film.
Write a multimodal review of the film. Include:
• a summary of the film’s plot

• descriptions and screenshots of the main characters
• descriptions and screenshots of the main settings
• the performances of the main actors
• the film’s message
• what you particularly liked or disliked
• some vocabulary from the glossary
Write an analysis of a key scene in the film. Include:
• a screenshot of the key scene.

• a link to a video of the key scene
• an analysis of the key scene. Use the 5Ss (Story, Setting, Sound, Social Issues, Self) and
5Cs (Character, Camera, Colour, Composition, Culture and Language) framework to
help you analyse the scene.
• some vocabulary from the glossary.
Make a short video (3–4 minutes) of yourself giving a review of the film. Include:
• a summary of the film’s plot

• a description of the main characters
• the performances of the main actors
• the film’s message
• what you particularly liked or disliked
• some vocabulary from the glossary.
_

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Catch Me If You Can

VIEWING RECOMMENDATIONS (Pre-viewing questions)

TALK ABOUT THE FILM BEFORE VIEWING (Pre-viewing questions)

truth /truːθ/ (n) the state or quality of being true

outrageous /aʊtˈreɪdʒəs/ (adj) shocking and morally unacceptable

impersonate /ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/ (v) to pretend to be someone in order to trick people or to

attorney /əˈtɜːni/ (n) US a lawyer

talent /ˈtælənt/ (n) a natural ability to do something well

fellow /ˈfeləʊ/ (n) old-fashioned a man

fascinating /ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/ (adj) extremely interesting

loving /ˈlʌvɪŋ/ (adj) showing love and care for someone

quit /kwɪt/ (v) to stop doing something

literally /ˈlɪtərəli/ (adv) using the real meaning of a word or phrase

buddy /ˈbʌdi/ (n) US a friend

loan /ləʊn/ (v) US to lend something, especially money, to someone,

guys /ɡaɪz/ (n) a group of people of either sex

divorce /dɪˈvɔːs/ (n) the legal ending of a marriage

wrong /rɒŋ/ (adj) not correct

Needing money, Frank turns to confidence scams to survive. He impersonates an airline

pleasure /ˈpleʒə(r)/ (n) a feeling of happiness, enjoyment or satisfaction

fear /fɪə(r)/ (v) to be frightened of someone or something or frightened of doing something

unfamiliar /ˌʌnfəˈmɪliə(r)/ (adj) not known to you

fancy /ˈfænsi/ (adj) expensive or luxurious

screw up /skruː ʌp/ (phr v) to make a serious mistake

background check /ˈbækgraʊnd ʧek/ (n) an examination by an employer of the background

bother /ˈbɒðə(r)/ (v) to annoy, worry or upset someone

nervous /ˈnɜːvəs/ (adj) worried and anxious about something

missing /ˈmɪsɪŋ/ (adj) (of a person) not at home; not found

fire /ˈfaɪə(r)/ (v) to remove someone from their job

pretty /ˈprɪti/ (adj) pleasant to look at especially of girls and women

incredible /ɪnˈkredəbl/ (adj) extremely good

cop /kɒp/ (n) informal a police officer

criminal /ˈkrɪmɪnl/ (n) a person who commits a crime

kick out /kɪk aʊt/ (phr v) to make someone leave or go away

mad /mæd/ (adj) very angry

marry /ˈmæri/ (v) to become the husband or wife of someone

mean /miːn/ (adj) unkind or unpleasant

unfortunate /ʌnˈfɔːtʃənət/ (adj) having bad luck; caused by bad luck

foolish /ˈfuːlɪʃ/ (adj) stupid or not showing good judgement

figure out /ˈfɪgər aʊt/ (phr v) to understand or solve something

scare /skeə(r)/ (v) to make someone feel frightened

engagement /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (n) an agreement to marry someone

crash /kræʃ/ (v) to go to a party or other event without an invitation

graduate /ˈɡrædʒueɪt/ (n) a person who has a university degree

stewardess /ˌstjuːəˈdes/ (n) old-fashioned a female flight attendant

friendly /ˈfrendli/ (adj) behaving in a kind and pleasant way to someone

embarrassed /ɪmˈbærəst/ (adj) feeling shy, ashamed or stupid

crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ (adj) mentally ill

convince /kənˈvɪns/ (v) to make someone believe that something is true

look /lʊk/ (n) the act of looking at someone or something

smart /smɑːt/ (adj) intelligent

CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

Write a multimodal review of the film. Include:

• a summary of the film’s plot

Write an analysis of a key scene in the film. Include:

• a screenshot of the key scene.

• a summary of the film’s plot

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