During Harry Houdini's (Guy Pearce's) tour of Britain in 1926, the master escapologist enters into a passionate affair with a Scottish psychic. The psychic and her daughter attempt to con Houdini during a highly publicized séance to contact his mother whose death has haunted him for many years. However, all does not go to plan.... (Full plot summary below)
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During Harry Houdini's (Guy Pearce's) tour of Britain in 1926, the master escapologist enters into a passionate affair with a Scottish psychic. The psychic and her daughter attempt to con Houdini during a highly publicized séance to contact his mother whose death has haunted him for many years. However, all does not go to plan.
Leave your thoughts about Death Defying Acts.
| ColeSmithey.comCole SmitheyGuy Pierce's performance is perhaps the worst researched role of the year, and Catherine Zeta-Jones never connects to her character's lower class milieu. |
| Paste MagazineSean Gandertexcepting experimental films, plot is a key reason we watch movies. Without an interesting one, an hour and a half of competent filmmaking becomes about an hour and 25 minutes of boredom. |
| ViewLondonMatthew TurnerDeath Defying Acts is a hugely enjoyable, impressively directed drama with superb performances and an emotionally engaging script. Terrific final scene too. Highly recommended. |
| Time OutDavid FearPearce's boys-adventure take on the vaudeville legend is a hoot, though not nearly as laughable as the dialogue or Zeta-Jones's pitiful attempts at basic emoting. |
| The National (UAE)Kaleem AftabEvery line spoken is so austere that the characters seem like they're acting in straitjackets. But it's the audience that will be most desperate to escape. |
| Los Angeles CityBeatAndy Klein...a decidedly minor addition to the résumé of Australian director Gillian Armstrong...The film moves quickly enough, and it's a passably glossy entertainment, but, as Houdini, Pearce is too young... |
| Screen InternationalAllan HunterSo corny and old-fashioned that only diehard romantics are likely to consider it magical. |
| Eye for FilmAmber WilkinsonMuch of the story is smoke and mirrors in terms of fact, but this is pitched more at romance fans than Houdini addicts. |
| Film4Anna SmithDespite the confused tone and underwhelming romance, this pretty little picture entertains in the main thanks to the intriguing subject matter and top turns from Zeta-Jones and Ronan. |
| Empire Magazine AustralasiaMichael AdamsBroadly enjoyable, lovely to look at, with fine work from its lasses - but it's less than the sum of its parts. |
