I thought it was unique and very well done. I will not add anything further lest I spoil it other than adding that Adrien Brody is wonderful in it.
I agree. It wasn't as fictionalized as I had feared. I've seen some rather harsh (truth-based) criticism on some Houdini fansites, but I wasn't as bothered as much by what they did as some were. Not to be cynical, but I've come to expect most such sendups to be truthphobic.