Death Defying Acts (2007)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Luke B

  
  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… More
  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.

• Jake .

  
  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,… More
  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.

• Jon L

  
  I was surprised that I have never head of this film before watching it. Overall, this was an entertaining movie. I enjoyed watching it, even thought there is not too much beneath the surface. This movie was a little drawn out at the end, but still, I thought it was better than most… More
  I was surprised that I have never head of this film before watching it. Overall, this was an entertaining movie. I enjoyed watching it, even thought there is not too much beneath the surface. This movie was a little drawn out at the end, but still, I thought it was better than most critics have given it credit for.

• Sol C

  
  The trailer for the film looks really good, but the film itself could have been so much better. The Prestige and The Illusionist were much better films than this one. This one lacks the style that those 2 films had. I think another director could have made this film, to be much better… More
  The trailer for the film looks really good, but the film itself could have been so much better. The Prestige and The Illusionist were much better films than this one. This one lacks the style that those 2 films had. I think another director could have made this film, to be much better than it already is. Also I thought it was a little unfocused and needed a rewrite. On the positive the acting in the film is very good. Everyone is well cast. Guy Pearce does a great job as Houdini. He has a great on screen chemistry with Catherine Zeta Jones. Saoirse Ronan does a great job in this film. She has a great on screen chemistry with Jones. Despite the flaws and the fact that it isn't as good as The Prestige or The Illusionist, I still recommend this film, especially for the performances of Pearce, Jones, and Ronan.

• Panta O

  
  Interesting viewing which has nothing to do with the real events in the life of the most famous magician Harry Houdini... I'll have to say that the scenographic setup was the best part of this film. The story was intriguing letting us inside the secretive circle of con artists… More
  Interesting viewing which has nothing to do with the real events in the life of the most famous magician Harry Houdini... I'll have to say that the scenographic setup was the best part of this film. The story was intriguing letting us inside the secretive circle of con artists and magicians, and we learn that even they are not immune on everyday human feelings. Fraudulent psychic Mary (Catherine Zeta-Jones) uses her young daughter Benji (Saoirse Ronan) to wows the audience with her special ability and connection with the "dead". Guy Pearce as the great Houdini was supposed to be a main attraction of this cynical con-comedy which turns to romantic drama, but he failed in that attempt! My conclusion is that this film is entertaining but it's not something you would like to watch twice... except if you really have spared time to waste.

• Andreia C

  
  The movie is watchable, but no big deal though. I don't know why but I cried at the end of it, it was probably from seeing Saoirse Ronan cry at the end, she's so young and so great already, she was the scene stealer in this movie.

• Andre T

  
  Supernatural romantic thriller. The film (a UK-Australian co-production directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones) follows the Hungarian-American escapologist Harry Houdini at the height of his career in the 1920s.Despite the beautiful epoque… More
  Supernatural romantic thriller. The film (a UK-Australian co-production directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones) follows the Hungarian-American escapologist Harry Houdini at the height of his career in the 1920s.Despite the beautiful epoque reconstruction and music, this is a silly film, with poor performances and boring screenplay.

• David S

  
  An enjoyable fim with a nice idea behind it that doesn't quite fulfil its potential. Saying that Guy Pierce is more charismatic here than I have seen him in a while and Tim Spall is always good value for money. Zeta-Jones does a passable Scottish accent but doesn't really… More
  An enjoyable fim with a nice idea behind it that doesn't quite fulfil its potential. Saying that Guy Pierce is more charismatic here than I have seen him in a while and Tim Spall is always good value for money. Zeta-Jones does a passable Scottish accent but doesn't really bring much to the floor. Saoirse Ronan is good as her daughter but isn't amazing (as she was in 'Atonement') but the film feels a little rushed and none of the characters seem fully developed. As illusionist films go I'd rate this above 'The Illusionist' but a long way below 'The Prestige'.

• Anastasia B

  
  very good film, i am rating more than the average other gave it- because i can't really find a flaw in it. excellent photography, very good performances, and a story that flows (even though with some effort) it certainly felt to me more than 3/5 others gave it.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings