We Heart NY

The word "genius" tends to be thrown around loosely these days, but Charlie Kaufman might actually warrant the label. Like a modern-day bard, the prolific screenwriter tells original, inventive stories that cause people to think and feel in delightfully different ways. He's paired his brilliance with some of today's most imaginative directors to bring existential films such as Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to the big screen, but decided to take the directorial reins of his latest and most personal work, Synecdoche, New York. The result is a lonely dark comedy about a playwright (Philip Seymour-Hoffman) struggling with his work and his personal life. It will probably make you laugh, most likely make you cry and definitely make you think. Feeling is inevitable; the excitement is in how it affects you. Kaufman's directorial debut is playing Friday through Sunday as part of The Magnolia at the Modern (3200 Darnell St. in Fort Worth), an ongoing series featuring critically acclaimed films. Tickets are $8.50 or $6.50 for Modern members. Advance sales begin two hours prior to each show. For more information, visit themodern.org.
Fri., Nov. 21; Sat., Nov. 22; Sun., Nov. 23, 2008