Death Defying Acts2008
Death Defying Acts (2008)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Pretty but dull, with unconvincing turns from Zeta-Jones and Pearce. If you want a period magician movie, seek out The Prestige or The Illusionist instead.
Death Defying Acts Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Harry Houdini
as Mary McGarvie
as Mr. Sugarman
as Benji
as Red Haired Pilot
as Rose
as Leith Romeo
as Leith Romeo's
as Mr. Robertson
as Flower Stall Seller
as Ugly Mug
as Oily Librarian
as Sugarman's Assistant
as Seamstress
as Usherette
as Music hall Dwarf
as Heckler
as Boxer's Manager
as Houdini Fan 1
as Houdini Fan 2
as Reporter 1
as Psychic Reporter
as Hotel Manager
as Bellboy
as Concierge
as Chambermaid
as Ventriloquist
as Tap Dancer
as Psychic Twin
as Psychic Twin
as Matre d
as Autograph Hound
as Angel with Red Hair
as Police Chief
as Professor
as Professor's Assisstant
as Reporter 2
as Reporter 3
as Montreal Student
Critic Reviews for Death Defying Acts
All Critics (38) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (22) | DVD (2)
Any magic is instantly dispelled by the dead hand of a tirelessly pouting Zeta-Jones, whose slap boasts more layers than her talent.
It's all a touch undercooked and dull.
It's a movie that seems to have been lavished with care and performed with gusto, yet its tale of fakery sounds its own knell: there's not a believable moment in it.
And while less magical than The Prestige, it's perfectly charming matinée fare.
The movie is over-schematic, slow-moving and over-furnished. It never seems to come alive with any believable interplay of characters; the movie locks itself into a watertight tank of a premise, and the handcuffs won't come off.
Houdini's mission to debunk fake spiritualists is hijacked by this wholly fraudulent love story. There's not a moment in the film that feels honest and uncontrived.
Audience Reviews for Death Defying Acts
This seemed destined for a main stream release and it has all the features of a generally popular film. For some reason, it never got that full Hollywood treatment so only a few of us got to see this mediocre gem with few shining parts.
Super Reviewer
A fictitious account of Harold Houdini. It focuses on a love he has for a woman that claims to be psychic. Unfortunately the film is void of any real engagement or excitement. Zeta-Jones is fine, but never for a single second did I believe she was going to screw over Houdini. This left me with a rather predictable love story that I was hoping would hurry along. There was never a real sense of wonderment at Houdini's tricks, and the film tried to hard to pull away his showbiz facade. We are left with an interesting and emotionally frail man, but since it isn't juxtaposed against how he was perceived it wasn't particularly interesting. Saoirse Ronan shows why she is becoming a fantastic lead actress, but the majority of this just never peaks that high.
Super Reviewer
Overall this really is a pleasant and enjoyable film, but it is incredibly typical. There is nothing particuarly special about it, nor does it do anything unexpected. It is mediocre to the very end, but at the same time decent to watch. I picked this up because Saoise Ronan was in it, and she is so young and tiny! And at the same time, she is just as great and confincing as the rest of the cast. The film is extreamely atmospheric, that is the main thing that stood out to me. Well, and the score is decent. Other than that, everything is just... okay. The story is inoffensive, the acting is decent, the direction seems competant enough, but nothing is that extraordinary. I just wish there was more to grab ahold of, to rave or whine about. I would even like some major flaws if there were some killer virtues to go with them. I had never heard of this movie until actually watching it, and I cannot help but thing that there is a reason for that. So, I really cannot say that I recommend it, but at the same time I do not NOT recommend it... It is an odd blend. The film is decent enough, but you really are wasting your time in watching it. There is nothing to make you think, or make you feel. You will not be stimulated at all.
Super Reviewer
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