Crazy Frenchman

Over dinner the other night the subject of “best movie you’ve seen this year” was brought up. While my fellow young film enthusiast friends and I discussed the merits of Wall-E, The Dark Knight and The Fall, the seasoned veteran at the table silenced our unrefined chatter with three words, “Man on Wire.” This unassuming documentary tells the story of Philippe Petit, who in 1974 at the age of 24, pulled off what has been called “the artistic crime of the century.” A French tightrope walker and magician, Petit illegally rigged a rope between New York’s twin towers (then the world’s tallest buildings) and gave the people of Manhattan a show, dancing around on the rope for nearly an hour before he was arrested. Directed by James Marsh and featuring Petit himself, the documentary scored big at Sundance with both a Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Man on Wire screens Friday through Sunday at The Modern in Fort Worth as part of The Magnolia at the Modern, 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/magnolia.html.

Fri., Sept. 19; Sat., Sept. 20; Sun., Sept. 21, 2008