Sometimes, the most obscure narratives end up featuring the most memorable romances, and that’s certainly the case with Hallmark’s Catch Me If You Claus. Now, while I’m personally not a fan of romances or anything regarding the Claus family (no matter how attractive they might be), it doesn’t change the fact that I can still dig a film occasionally.
As a story about legacies and childhood dreams, Catch Me If You Claus could have been far more memorable if it set aside the bandit plot and focused entirely on uncovering its theme through the primary romance. Luke Macfarlane and Italia Ricci have such incredible chemistry that the film would’ve been excellent if they had spent the entire movie talking and wandering through the night.
Ultimately, its significant flaw is the faux Santa crime plot, taking away far too much from a more compelling story arc that could dive into relatable heartaches we all understand. Part of the reason a movie like The Spirit of Christmas succeeds with such perfect nuance is that even while there’s a mystery to solve, it remains contained to the main characters, allowing their romance to unravel what’s looming ahead. In Catch Me If You Claus, it’s hard to figure out what we should focus on and how they’re all tied together solely because it fumbles the relationship’s pacing.
The same can be said about why romance novels triumph and are such a massive phenomenon. A simple trope like forced proximity unleashes an avalanche of thoughtful storytelling beats that drive the characters naturally through the plot. There’s a lot of good in this film, making it easy to want more—the tropes and layers are all there, but we aren’t touching them with as much care. Further, legacy can be challenging to explore, yet at the same time, the narrative does a great job of it by pairing two people whose arcs are similar in understanding each other. In a nutshell, Catch Me If You Claus is best when it relies on Ricci and Macfarlane’s banter to take the characters where they need to go to show us the bigger picture.
There’s also something intriguing about one character refusing to believe another’s identity (for whatever reason) and then coming to a moment where they see the truth right before their eyes. It’s these quiet romantic beats that rely on natural circumstances to propel the narrative and make the quick romance feel more believable.
Catch Me If You Claus isn’t all bad—there are humorous moments throughout, but it could’ve been so much better given how fascinating the romance is. Still, it’s one worth watching to understand that there’s a time for everything and sometimes, the things seemingly designed to hold us back are the ones pushing us toward where we should be. At the same time, there’s much to say about the sparkling cast of secondary characters who make the love story even more worthwhile. It’s an odd, confusing little film, but it’s one of the good ones of the year.
Catch Me If You Can is now streaming on Frndly TV.