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Death Defying Acts
Third Rail Releasing (The Weinstein Company)


7.3

based on 8 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 3 votes
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FILM:

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, and Saoirse Ronan

It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful but deceptive psychic, Mary McGregor, and her sidekick daughter, Benji, take the challenge, Harry is initially skeptical, but is soon captivated by her charms. The more time he spends with the mysterious woman, the more attracted he is, and what began as a con soon evolves into a passionate and complicated love affair, as Houdini attempts the most dangerous stunt of his career. (Myriad Pictures)

GENRE(S):	Drama \| Romance \| Suspense/Thriller
WRITTEN BY:	Tony Grisoni Brian Ward
DIRECTED BY:	Gillian Armstrong
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: October 28, 2008 Theatrical: July 11, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	97 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	UK \| Australia

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

LA Weekly Scott Foundas

This won't be remembered as one of the prodigiously talented Armstrong's great films (My Brilliant Career, High Tide, Little Women), but it's still 90 percent better than everything else out there.

Los Angeles Times Gary Goldstein

Far more diverting and well crafted than its promotion-free release campaign might suggest. Then again, for a film largely based on the notion that "nothing is what it seems," such lowered expectations may actually work in its favor.

Slate Dana Stevens

A minor but satisfying entry in the "what if" historical-fantasy genre.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Though all the elements are in place, there's not much magic to be found in Death Defying Acts, an intermittently entertaining but surprisingly modest romance from Gillian Armstrong.

The Hollywood Reporter Ray Bennett

What it lacks is a villain, and magic without danger is simply a parlor trick, which is what the film becomes.

Variety Dennis Harvey

A handsome contraption that's never very engaging, let alone convincing.

New York Post Kyle Smith

The ingredients are there for a cute con game, but instead the movie turns out to be a mushy melodrama.

The New York Times Neil Genzlinger

Ms. Zeta-Jones is too elegant for the lowlife she's supposed to be, Ms. Ronan isn't endearing enough to be a ragamuffin, and, under Gillian Armstrong's direction, never for a minute do you believe they're mother and daughter.

The average user rating for this movie is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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Death Defying Acts Third Rail Releasing (The Weinstein Company)

Death Defying Acts
Third Rail Releasing (The Weinstein Company)