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Back in Black

Verhoeven gets serious at the Modern

A A A Comments By S. Anne Durham Thursday, May 3 2007

Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven is known in America for his flicks about crazy ladies. After all, he helped bring us Showgirls and Basic Instinct. But in Black Book, featured this weekend by the critically acclaimed film series Magnolia at the Modern, we see another side of Verhoeven. Sure, there's a scrappy female star, but there's not much camp involved in her battles. The film is a thriller that follows the story of a Jewish girl in 1944 Holland who survives World War II and joins the resistance to avenge her family, who were all killed.

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But those who like a little Showgirls in their war films won't be disappointed. The heroine is a singer, and along the way, she uses her body and her powers of seduction on a higher-up, which adds a romantic element to a seedy situation. Verhoeven even portrays a high-ranking Nazi as a likable character, blurring the distinction between good and bad. Black Book screens at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St. Admission is $5.50 to $7.50. Call 817-738-9215 or visit themodern.org.
May 4-6

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