Two films demonstrate America's artistic abilities

"Emile Norman: By His Own Design" is an extraordinary film, a celebration of a life lived (and still lived) with passion and commitment and courage.

Not only is Norman's art testimony to his vast reservoirs of creativity, unafraid to explore a variety of media, from sculpture to painting to lovely mosaics, what is remarkable is that his life is as much a work of art, rich and full and inspirational, as the spectacular mosaic window and statuary that grace the facade of San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium.

"By His Own Design" touches on Norman's early years growing up in the San Gabriel Valley of California, a place that did not embrace a young gay man who wanted only to produce art. Undeterred, he went first to New York where he met Brooks Clement. The two would be together for more than 30 years, returning early on to Big Sur where Norman and Brooks would settle, finding the artist colony welcoming and embracing of a life style that was still considered well beyond the norm (during the late '50s).

It is one thing to say, "Follow your passion." It is another to craft a life that mirrors that admonition. But this is what Norman has done, and done exceedingly well. He is quoted as saying that he has never worked a day in his life. A wonderful way of saying that what he has created during those many days in his studio was never work, but necessary, and came from a wellspring of creativity that he traces back to his youth and something which ultimately defies explanation.

What also makes the film so rich and interesting is that over the years Clement shot 16mm home movies on a hand-cranked Bolex camera. So, not only do we see footage of Norman as he is today, and many stills from years past, but spliced into the footage are these wonderful scenes of Norman and friends, looking into the camera, endlessly smiling.

"The Little Things": what a sweet feature film. Truly. The characters are well-drawn, and the story a tightly written examination of twenty-somethings' search for personal equilibrium and relationships that resonate. All set against a New York skyline.

The film follows Miranda, a second grade teacher, who is, more or less, settled in a comfortable relationship with her boyfriend, Jason. That is until she meets Michael, a photographer, who is also living with his girl friend. Suddenly they are both pushed off center, the laws of personal gravity and mutual attraction come into play. They want to be together, yet acknowledge that the situation is fraught with entanglements. Even when they sit, in one scene, and make a list of all the little things they regard as personal flaws, it doesn't diminish their growing bond.

How they sort out all of the complexities of multiple relationships makes for compelling viewing right up to the denouement, which has a nifty twist. As well, the film cultivates throughout a verite' style that gives it an authenticity which only enhances the nicely rendered plot.