THIS WEEK’S BEST FILMS

MONDAY

Catch Me If You Can (2002) (Film4, 9pm)

This funny and stylish romp is based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, who as a teenager managed to swindle the US government out of thousands of dollars by affecting a series of outlandish disguises: as an airline pilot, doctor, international playboy, even the assistant attorney general. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Abagnale, driven by fantasies of luring his family back together with his ill-gotten gains, and Tom Hanks is the dogged FBI agent on his trail. With plenty of fun along the way, the two leads also develop a poignant relationship. Director Steven Spielberg keeps a brisk tempo propelling the plot inexorably towards its fascinating conclusion.

The Matrix (1999) (ITV4, 10pm)

Keanu Reeves is computer hacker Neo, a man with an impossible mission (or so it seems). He’s charged with saving the world and enlightening the human race to the fact that reality, as they know it, isn’t all that it appears. It turns out everyone is living in a computer simulation, but Neo is suddenly plucked out of the hi-tech illusion by a team of freedom fighters determined to reveal the truth. At the time of its release, The Matrix made a huge impact, thanks to its groundbreaking special effects and top-notch action. Although a slew of copycat films and some unnecessarily convoluted sequels have dulled the impact a little, it remains an eye-popping, mindbending movie. A new addition to the franchise is due later this year.

TUESDAY

Rebecca (1940)

(Talking Pictures TV, 9pm) Alfred Hitchcock’s wonderfully atmospheric version of Daphne Du Maurier’s gripping tale stars Joan Fontaine as the timid new wife of widower Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier). His country estate Manderlay remains in the iron grip of the frighteningly efficient housekeeper Ms Danvers (the brilliant Judith Anderson) and the memory of the master’s late wife, Rebecca. As the new Mrs de Winter struggles to win the approval of the

the clues and unmask the murderer.

Having passed himself off as an airline pilot, Frank Abagnale (Leonardo DiCaprio) surrounds himself with aspiring flight attendants in Catch Me If You Can on Monday on Film4 at 9pm