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A Prairie Home Companion [2006]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Robert Altman and Garrison Keillor combine reality and fantasy in this smooth, ebullient take on the long-running Prairie Home Companion radio show. Set during the show's fictitious last broadcast--the host station has been bought--the film has plenty of elements from the real PHC radiocasts, including a live audience and the sensational Shoe band. The onstage program is mostly music numbers, a beguiling mix of standards and old-style country. However, the show's usual comedy sketches are never presented, save for the commercial parodies--this may be a PHC show, but Lake Wobegone is never mentioned. Instead, the sketches are played out as backstage banter that feautres the Johnson Sisters (Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin), a harried stage hand (Maya Rudolph), a former listener turned angel (Virginia Madsen), and Keillor himself (a crusty alter-ego named simply G.K.). A few characters from the real PHC are given life: the singing cowboys Dusty and Lefty and gumshoe Guy Noir are embodied by Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, and Kevin Kline, respectively. Old flames are fanned, stories are spun, new talents are found (Lindsay Lohan has a chance to shine as Streep's daughter) and everyone wonders if G.K. will do something to ebb the tide of cancellation (personified by Tommy Lee Jones as the corporate Axeman). All of the actors do right as singers, and seem to be having the time of their life. Keillor's screenplay is perfect fodder for Altman's usual brand of storytelling, as characters babble on with the camera picking them up often in mid-thought. The film appeared a few months after Altman received an honorary Oscar, and the director is still at the top of his game, creating this smile-inducing, song-filled time, ending with an ethereal last musical number. --Doug Thomas


Altman and Keillor Partnership works well
Review date: 2008-09-05 Rating: 8 out of 10

The hallmarks of Robert Altman's style are here, including a fantastic ensemble cast, overlapping dialogue, a camera that wanders around the action (though that is the wrong word: this film contains virtually no action in the conventional sense of the word) and actors.

But this is a far gentler, nostalgic, elegaic film than, say, MASH, Nashville, Short Cuts or, for that matter, any of his other films. Maybe this is because Altman had "mellowed" by the time he made what was to be his last film, but given the rest of his career this seems unlikely. A more likely influence is the bone dry wit of his main collaborator Garrison keillor, upon whose writings and radio broadcasts the film his based. I would never have thought of them as natural collaborators, but it works perfectly well. Like the works of both men, you need to pay close attention, especially to the dialogue, to catch the subtelties and humour but its worth it. Just don't expect anything but a wafer thin "storyline" ,

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Reviews


One of the Worst films I have seen.
Review date: 2008-03-06 Rating: 2 out of 10

I love country music, Johnny Cash, Willie Waylon, Merle, Neil Young etc. and I thought that Prairie Home Companion would be similar to O Brother which is the best and funniest country film I have seen.
What a letdown this film was, it should have been excellent judging by the top cast and producer, but was marred all the way through by a bad script and cringeworthy performances. If I could have done I would have given this piece of complete boredom 0 stars.

Stunning!!!
Review date: 2007-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

Fantastic! Great songs and acting. This film is a must see for adults and kids. It's cheeky with a surreal side towards the end. Do also by the CD of the soundtrack, that way you hear more of the songs. Buy it now it's really worth every penny!

Gentle and worthwhile.
Review date: 2007-11-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

End-of-an-era stuff: this is the quirky Robert Altman fictionalisation of Garrison Keillor's regular old-timey family radio show. To provide a story-backbone the film imagines the radio-show coming to a sudden end as the station is sold and as a company `axeman' comes to clear-out the old stuff. The premise is eccentric and the delivery heartfelt, personal and hugely affecting. Death and afterlife are explored in a gentle manner that gains additional significance given that we already know Altman died shortly after completion. This is a special movie.

Selightful
Review date: 2007-11-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

A wonderfully romantic portrayal of a dinosaur of a show - a pre-television radio variety - stumbling to a dignified extinction. Admire GK's unflappable professionalism (and the real Keillor's triumph), laugh at the advertising and feel strangely warm inside. A worthy close to Altman's career; it's as if the angel comes for him.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John C. Reilly
Kevin Kline
Virginia Madsen
Woody Harrelson
Lindsay Lohan

Creators:
Woody Harrelson (Primary Contributor)
Lindsay Lohan (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582483321
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-06-25
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)

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