Directed by: Gillian Armstrong
Released: 2008
Country: United Kingdom, Australia
Main cast: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Guy Pearce, Saoirse Ronan, Timothy Spall
Genres: Romantic-Drama, Thriller
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Review
Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American escapist, and perhaps
the most famous escapist ever. The 2008 movie ''Death Defying Acts'', directed
by Gillian Armstrong, is a historical fiction movie. It's major story is
fictional.
''Death Defying Acts'' lacks in depth. Yeah, truly. I
expected to see a touching love story, or a good thriller, but what did I see?
The romantic and thrilling elements are weak and not much developed.
Nevertheless, don't think that it's a bad movie. Rather, I
think it's so-so. Indeed. While the screenplay is not that good, the acting and
background music, and the atmosphere that it creates, makes it a relatively okay film.
Mary (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and her daughter Benji (Saoirse
Ronan) are tricksters. They trickily make people believe that they have psychic
powers. But now their theater having closed down, they live a miserable life at
a little house situated in a graveyard.
Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) is a famous escape artist. He has
hundreds of fans. His mother having died, he wants to know what were his
mother's last words. He promises to reward a huge amount of money to the
psychic person who can tell him what his mother's last words were.
When Houdini arrives in Edinburgh, Mary thinks she might have a
chance into winning the reward using her fake psychic powers and acting. She and Benji, after much difficulties, manage meeting
him. Houdini is, after some time, convinced at her powers.
But a while later, Mary realizes that she is in love with
Houdini...
What this leads to is quite unpredictable. The movie isn't
predictable at all. That's a positive thing about the film. But it has loads of
problems. It is unable to bring satisfaction. While it's subject matter does
seem interesting, the overall presentation is hardly satisfactory.
Oh no, don't take me wrong. I did enjoy this film at parts. And it
wasn't quite worth watching, though, but I think the work put on this film was
successful. While the screenplay and overall presentation may seem not up to
the mark, they are successful at some points. Especially, some of the last
scenes. Without giving away anything, the last scenes were probably the only
heartwarming and emotional parts of the film.
The love story lacks in depth. When we see Mary is in love with Houdini, we continue watching, without giving a smile or something. Yeah, the love story is not moving or something.
One of the few charming things about this movie is the background music. The background music is, in a word, excellent! Simply excellent! From the very beginning of movie, the background music that we hear is without a doubt wonderful, and I have no negative comments on the scores.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Guy Pearce are both so-so in their roles. Despite being so talented actors, they seem to give not that much good performances. Yeah, they do perform well, and their performance do deserve praises, but however, Guy Pearce, I thought, didn't bring his character to life. Catherine Zeta-Jones gave a better performance than Pearce.
The most praises should go to the performance of Saoirse Ronan as Mary's daughter Benji. Really. Her performance is simply tremendously excellent. It is Saoirse Ronan who brings her character to life. Among the actors in this film, it is Ronan who gives a superb performance. (Saoirse Ronan the narrator of the film as well).
Then there is Timothy Spall in a supporting role as the manager, Mr. Sugerman, who doesn't approve Mary. Timothy Spall gives a considerable support.
The overall movie is dull, with infrequent charms, but the ending is heartwarming. Basically the film is a clumsy one, but it is watchable and is generally not boring. Finally, this is a simple time-pass movie. Not worth watching, but you will not feel boring while watching it. But however, it is not a memorable experience.
2.5 out of 5
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