American Impressionist: Richard Earl Thompson

Written and directed by Patricia Jobe Pierce, American Impressionist chronicles the work of impressionist Richard Earl Thompson. A "luminist," Thompson's subject has always been "light": how light interacts with nature. Born in 1914, Thompson studied drawing in Chicago during the 1930s before working in the commercial art world, where he distinguished himself and prospered with a series of posters created for the Coca-Cola Company. In 1959, Thompson decided to quit, and began painting the outdoor scenes for which he is justly recognized today. Thompson is seen quietly puffing a cigar and contemplating a lake, walking in the woods, or making preliminary drawings. But the majority of the program consists of a generous sampling of Thompson's beautiful work. The only complaint I had was that the narration is often lavender ("atmosphere gleams and quivers at midday"), and sometimes downright purple ("elusive is caught when light mutes"--that one merits a search warrant from the syntax police). Fortunately, the mind is distracted by the gorgeous seasonal changes captured by Thompson's brush in his beloved Wisconsin landscape. Recommended. (Available from: Finley-Holiday Films, 12607 East Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601; 1-800-345-6707.)