While I might have enjoyed the documentary more if it had delved more into who Norman Rockwell was as a person and his psyche, it is nevertheless an enjoyable little film--a gentle little show about a great artist. The production of this film seemed to coincide with a newer appreciation for the work of Rockwell. Now, after years of being seen as 'just a nice illustrator', he was finally being seen as a fine artist--and this struggle within him was also a major theme in the film. It also was, for the most part, a rather conventional documentary-style biography. You get to see lots of his works, meet some of his models and hear folks wax poetic about the man--all pretty much what you would expect. Well worth seeing and a nice celebration of a great artist. If you don't believe me, go see one of his exhibits--seeing them up close and seeing the reactions of the other patrons will convince you there is MUCH more to his work than meets the eye.
American Masters (TV Series)
Norman Rockwell: Painting America (1999)
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Dreams Of Youth
strong-122-4788858 July 2016
From "The Saturday Evening Post" to "Kellogg's Corn Flakes" - If ever there was one American artist whose work completely epitomized the sentimental and idealistic innocence of family values as they were perceived in yesterday's America, then that artist would have to be, none other than, Norman Rockwell.
As an artist/illustrator - Throughout his 5-decade career, Rockwell produced more than 4000 works. Almost right from the start his paintings and their subject matter struck a nostalgic chord with the American public and, as a result, his popularity soared all across that nation (and, even beyond).
Through stills, archival film-clips and interviews with historians, family members and art critics - This well-researched celebrity-documentary (from the "American Masters" series) delivers a professional, in-depth look at Norman Rockwell, his life, and his paintings.
*Note* - In 1978 (at the age of 84), Norman Rockwell died from "natural" causes.
As an artist/illustrator - Throughout his 5-decade career, Rockwell produced more than 4000 works. Almost right from the start his paintings and their subject matter struck a nostalgic chord with the American public and, as a result, his popularity soared all across that nation (and, even beyond).
Through stills, archival film-clips and interviews with historians, family members and art critics - This well-researched celebrity-documentary (from the "American Masters" series) delivers a professional, in-depth look at Norman Rockwell, his life, and his paintings.
*Note* - In 1978 (at the age of 84), Norman Rockwell died from "natural" causes.
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