Death Defying Acts

Name: Death Defying Acts
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Romance
Released: July 11, 2008
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 48
Cast: Catherine Zeta Jones, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

See All

5.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.9	Your Score
5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Death Defying Acts

Now Playing: Death Defying Acts

Movie Details & Credits

Third Rail Releasing | Release Date: July 11, 2008 | PG

Starring: Catherine Zeta Jones, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall

Summary: 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 butIt 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)… Expand

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Romance

Rating: PG

Runtime: 97 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

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. Read full review

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. Read full review

Dana Stevens

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

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. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

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

Kyle Smith

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

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. Read full review

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

No reviews yet.