Despite the renewed interest in movies about magicians thanks to the success of the recent "The Prestige" and "The Illusionist", as well as the presence of two famous stars and a child actress who was Oscar-nominated for another film she made the same year, "Death Defying Acts" had only a limited theatrical release in a few countries and drew little attention. You will know why if you happen to see it - although the production is fairly lavish, the film feels somehow "small" and restricted. It doesn't have enough dramatic tension, and it doesn't focus enough on Houdini's showmanship. Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta Jones give OK but rather unremarkable performances; the real standout in the cast is the young Saoirse Ronan, who is obviously destined for a long successful career. I also couldn't help but notice that both Pearce and CZJ were in such great physical shape here that they might have fared better doing an action film together. They could have even kept the same title....(**)
Review of Death Defying Acts
