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Death Defying Acts (2007)

Director: Gillian Armstrong

2

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3 reviews

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From Time Out New York

Given the recentish vogue for both biopics and old-timey illusionists, it was only a matter of time before someone belched up another Harry Houdini film. Thankfully, this drama doesn’t go the usual rise-and-fall route; unfortunately, it offers something far worse, a turgid speculative romance between the escapologist (Pearce) and a faux psychic con artist (Zeta-Jones). Pearce’s boys-adventure take on the vaudeville legend is a hoot, though not nearly as laughable as the dialogue (“It wasn’t his body that was in chains, it was his heart”) or Zeta-Jones’s pitiful attempts at basic emoting.

Author: David Fear 2008-07-15 20:08:34

Time Out New York Issue 668: July 17 - 23, 2008

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User reviews of this film

  • Paul Henry said...
    Posted on Nov 19 2008 18:21 A feelgood romantic movie, with fine performances from the adult cast, but again Saoirse Ronan steals the limelight with a delighful turn.
    Report as inappropriate
  • Nicole Spero said...
    Posted on Jul 24 2008 00:08 charming and sad, Catherine Zeta Jones played it perfectly, Saoirse shows promise, and who knew Houdini well enought to know the film digressed? Thought it was a refreshing change from the usual romantic glop. JMHO.
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  • John Frey said...
    Posted on Jul 24 2008 00:00 loved Zeta Jones, hated Pierce, Ronan was cool.
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Death Defying Acts

Cast & crew

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Cast: Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Saoirse Ronan

Rated: NR

Duration: 97 mins

US Release: Jul 18 2008

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