A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

Overrated and overhyped

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

I had no idea what I was getting into with this odd yet cozy little portrayal of an American icon. I expected the dialogue to be smart, the characters to be memorable, the humor to be sharp, & the music to be wonderful, & that was all fulfilled. However, the almost nihilistic existentialism that pervades the surprising fantasy elements threw me for a loop; I can't decide if they were misguided overreaches or acutely genius. Either way, I loved this movie, & I think it will only benefit from multiple viewings.

This is a charming wonderful film about the last night of a radio show before it goes off the air forever. There is a sort of sweet sadness and memory of older times that hangs over the performers, as they reminisce about their lives. The camera weaves back and forth, letting the actors do their thing, without any chopping editing. The radio show is country/folk music themed, so there is plenty of good music to be had. Much of the inner workings of the show are revealed. We get to know the characters almost too well, with all their individual quirks and personalities. There's Guy Noir, who seems like he's from a Film Noir. And the Johnson sisters with all their emotional baggage. There's Dusty and Lefty, two cowboys; hillbillies and proud of it. You get the picture. All their interactions are golden. Yet, underneath the lively music and warmhearted people, there is an undercurrent of death. Because that's what the movie's about, when it comes right down to it. It's about things coming to a close. There are so many references to death in the movie. It shows how large a role death plays in these people's lives. This is personified in an angel who wanders around the proceedings. Even the young people are affected: Lindsay Lohan's character writes poems about suicide. So how can a film with such strong and serious themes be also so joyous and uplifting? That's the magic of it. It was Robert Altman's last film; he died shortly after the making of it, and he probably knew that he would. I think this is his parting gift to us. We should cherish this gem.

The Legendary Robert Altman delivers a Wonderful Last Film with 'A Prairie Home Companion'. Also, the ensemble cast pitch in marvelous performances!'A Prairie Home Companion' Synopsis: A look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of America's most celebrated radio show, where singing cowboys Dusty and Lefty, a country music siren, and a host of others hold court.'A Prairie Home Companion' celebrates love, music & joy. Garrison Keillor's Screenplay is profoundly engaging & heart-warming. Altman's Direction is ovation-worthy, as always. Cinematography is fabulous. Editing, Art & Costume Design are great.As mentioned before, the ensemble cast pitch in marvelous performances! Kevin Kline takes the lead with a charming turn. Garrison Keillor is so natural all through, while the impeccable Meryl Streep shows her class as a performer once again. Tommy Lee Jones is fantastic. Woody Harrelson & John C. Reilly are genuinely lovable, while Lindsay Lohan is pleasant. Lily Tomlin, Virginia Madsen & Maya Rudolph are mention-worthy, as well.On the whole, 'A Prairie Home Companion' is a winner. Here's a story worth watching!

This is a story about the last night of a long-running radio show. Since Garrison Keillor wrote the screenplay you are tempted to think that this might be his imagining of what the last night would be for the radio show he hosts. But that would not be correct, since there are cinematic aspects that could not be captured in a radio program. For example, Guy Noir, the detective who appears on the real radio program only is skits, comes and goes throughout this movie. And I see no way to capture the many appearances of the "dangerous woman" on a radio program. Some people see her and others don't--how would you capture that? So, even though the movie is intimately connected with the radio program of the same name, this cannot be seen as the filming of a radio performance.Playing Guy Noir (here in charge of security) Kevin Kline does a wonderful take off on Inspector Clouseau of "Pink Panther" fame. Kline has a gift for comedy that I was not aware of. And who could resist the banter between Merle Streep and Lily Tomlin who play the Johnson sisters, Yolanda and Lola. When Yolanda refers to the Carter Family, Lola asks, "Who?" and Yolanda answers, "The Carter Family, Like us, only famous." The movie is filled with dialog like that, dialog that provokes chuckles rather than laughter. Streep and Tomlin are having so much fun that it is infectious.As a longtime listener to the radio program who has never been to a performance, this movie satisfied some of my curiosities. It was good to see the mechanics of a performance and to put faces on many of the radio personalities. It was also a treat to see the inside of the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, the home-base for the actual radio programThe movie is not without some philosophical commentary, the essence of which is to enjoy what you can, since life is short. Not deep, but delivered in a most gentle way that makes for a very effective final scene. When some of the cast are enjoying genial after-performance conversation at a nearby diner the "dangerous woman" enters. I took the dangerous woman to be the angel of death and her appearance at the diner was a reminder that while we are enjoying some of our most pleasant moments death can walk in the door at any moment.Being familiar with the radio program will most likely add to your enjoyment of this movie. I have some friends who were unfamiliar with the radio program and were totally mystified by the riffs on rhubarb pie and powder milk biscuits.That the story meanders is an understatement, but the chaos is woven into a satisfying experience. Whatever might be said about this, it is a unique film.