Death Defying Acts

Guy Pierce is miscast as Harry Houdini in this ill-conceived melodrama that takes too much dramatic license in concocting a ritualistic romance that Houdini develops with Mary (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a vaudeville psychic interested in winning a $10,000 prize Houdini offers for his deceased mother’s last words. Mary and her scrappy daughter Benji (Saoirse Ronan) share little chemistry as Houdini wines and dines Mary, who physically resembles his mother. Historic facts of Houdini’s life are sprinkled throughout the story to pad the fictional speculation about the entertainer’s inner demons. Guy 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. Even the usually believable Timothy Spall ("Secrets and Lies") chokes as Houdini’s rudderless manager.

Not Rated, 97 mins. (C) (Two Stars)