Doom of a Doomsayer

In ancient times people turned to oracles and soothsayers for guidance, but today we treat prophecy with a bit more skepticism, if not disdain. In the movie Take Shelter, Michael Shannon plays the role of Curtis LaForche, a blue-collar family man whose life seems content and stable until LaForche begins...

By Alex Copeland

November 10, 2011

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In ancient times people turned to oracles and soothsayers for guidance, but today we treat prophecy with a bit more skepticism, if not disdain. In the movie Take Shelter, Michael Shannon plays the role of Curtis LaForche, a blue-collar family man whose life seems content and stable until LaForche begins to dream of terrifying storms, swarms of birds and other apocalyptic visions. Before long, the visions invade the waking world as well. Convinced that his nightmares are destined to become reality, LaForche sets out to build a tornado shelter to protect his family. Money is tight, so he takes out a costly loan. Rumors begin to circulate about LaForche’s mental health and his marriage begins to suffer. As his increasingly erratic and obsessive behavior drives a wedge between him and his family, it becomes unclear whether the visions signal an environmental disaster or LaForche’s descent into madness. This dramatic thriller shows at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., at 6 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8.50. Call 214-764-9106 or visit themodern.org/magnolia for further details.
Fri., Nov. 11, 6 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 12, 5 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 13, 2 & 4:15 p.m., 2011

Alex Copeland

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