A Prairie Home Companion Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Radio like you've never seen it before.
Live every show like it's your last.
The movie is a celebrity version of Garrison Keillor's radio show of the same name. The movie takes place during the last live performance of the show as the new radio network owners have sent an axeman (Tommy Lee Jones)to close the show. Another fantasy element is thrown in as an angel (Virginia Madsen) stalks the theater to take one of the performers. Keillor essentially plays himself, even using his own name for the character. Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep play the singing Johnson Sisters, with Lindsay Lohan as a suicide-obsessed daughter of Streep. Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are hilarious as the slightly off-color singing cowboy duo, Dusty & Lefty. Kevin Kline is a security guard who act as the narrator. Maya Rudolph also appears as a pregnant stage coordinator. Contains some mild sexually-oriented jokes.
| Woody Harrelson | Dusty |
| Tommy Lee Jones | Axeman |
| Kevin Kline | Guy Noir |
| Lindsay Lohan | Lola Johnson |
| Virginia Madsen | Dangerous Woman |
| Meryl Streep | Yolanda Johnson |
| Robert Altman |
7.20 out of 10 (6457 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A Great Movie about Telling Tales
posted on 22 Aug 2009Garrison Keillor, writer of the radio show A Prairie Home Companion, has always been a storyteller. The show's centerpiece, The News from Lake Wobegon, is a simple monologue about the goings-on in a small Minnesota town, a monologue which has the nostalgic appeal of a coupla guys sitting 'round an open fire or sitting on a boat trading stories while there is nothing else to do.Curiously, the News from Lake Wobegon is absent from the film of A Prairie Home Companion, but in a sense it doesn't have to be. The entire film is Keillor's ode to the Storyteller. Each of the great characters of the show is dedicated to telling tales. From the very beginning, Guy Noir narrates like all hard-boiled private eyes do. Keillor's character keeps trying to tell a story which seems to include a naked man strapped to a large kite and his first job on the radio. The two Johnson Girls talk about the old days with their mother and the other sisters who were part of the group until various incidents took place. Even Dusty and Lefty have a few short stories (even if they only amount to dirty jokes).The film itself tells the tale of the radio variety show's final broadcast and various events surrounding it, and in many ways the final show is the perfect place to talk about stories—with no other shows to look forward to, what other way to look but back? But the show also has a dark air about it. With the axing of the show imminent, death is the dark subtext in everyone's tale, and yet the show never seems to dip into the schmaltz. And it's not surprising—this is the North that bred Fargo. Sugar just isn't done.Robert Altman has his directorial trademarks in the work as well, although not as prominently as in others he has done. As usual, Altman wrangles multiple plot lines flawlessly, and with Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep we get the famous overlapping dialogue. But a lot of the movie is about actually understanding the story rather than getting it drowned out—when characters talk over each other, it only adds to the tale they tell. When the Johnson Girls talk about their sister's donut shoplift, they are just like sisters; talking over each other but still telling the same story.As far as performances, just about every one is satisfactory. Standing out are Streep, who has pinned down the cheery Midwestern mother to a tee, and Kevin Kline, obviously a bit influenced by his recent work on the Pink Panther remake in playing Guy Noir, Private Eye. Lindsay Lohan as Streep's daughter also does well tackling a two-sided personality—a girl fascinated with death and suicide while simultaneously willing to listen to Keillor's folksy tales like a girl hearing a bedtime story.In fact, if there is a flaw in this film, it's that sometimes uneven atmosphere suggested with Lohan's character. Most of the film's brilliance readily credits Keillor's higher abilities as a writer, and so it feels a bit strange having cowboys Dusty and Lefty farting and telling dirty jokes in their moments. But the story often builds up to these moments in humor so that, while watching, they're perfectly all right. And in the end it's the in-the-seat movie experience that counts.All-around, the film of A Prairie Home Companion is a charming and nostalgic ode to the storyteller we all occasionally are.
A Prarie Home Travesty
posted on 15 Aug 2009It is hard to comprehend what Robert Altman was thinking when he directed this movie -- or what the Prarie Home folks were thinking when they decided on the esteemed director of... well, not much. Let me state that I am a huge, huge fan of the radio show that Garrison Keillor has turned into an institution of Americana. I never miss a show, and it makes Sunday morning at home my favorite day of the week.
Needless to say, I looked forward to this movie with eager anticipation. The plot wasn't bad - a little strange, but if that's what Garrison wanted to do who am I to question him? But, the movie suffered from one major problem: the acting. A bit shocking given the talented lineup that was amassed, but watch it and decide for yourself. I'm not sure I should blame Altman for the results, but in my experience you go straight to the top to assign blame. With the exception of John C. Reilly, the entire cast sleepwalked and mumbled throughout the entire bore of a movie. The formerly vibrant Kevin Kline acted as if he was recovering from a stroke. What is left of Lily Tomlin failed miserably at her attempt to emulate a rambling Minnesota marm. Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson, Meryl Streep, and plasticky Lindsay Lohan were ordinary and disinterested. It was like the whole cast decided Virgina Madsen had the best role and decided to emulate her: pacing about the set and not doing much.
I could go on and on, but will spare you an extended rant. The main thing I need to get across is that this film completely failed to capture what makes Prarie Home such a hit -- the HEART. What would have made this a good film would to have NO decaying stars and instead populate the cast with genuine people like the ones that make the radio version so perfect.
Be honest, would you rather have seen Tomlin and Streep spend about 1/3 of the film stumbling about trying to imitate the classic Norse/Minnesotan character, or to actually use a couple of unknowns who could have pulled it off. Would you rather have watched stars who truly cannot sing or harmonize, or some actual singers on stage. Did you like Klein's barely-there version of Guy Noir, or somebody else who could do an over-the top edition of him that this vanilla film desperately needed?
Aside from the "Bad Jokes" number and Garrison's acting, this is almost completely devoid of any substance. If you're not a fan of the radio show, please don't think this has anything to do with the show. If you are a fan of the show, this is definitely worth skipping. Yuk.
Bury it not, this homed "Prairie" ...
posted on 06 Aug 2009"A Prairie Home Companion" is a long-running radio program, a perennial staple of National Public Radio. As created and fathered along by owlish humorist Garrison Keillor, the show's format is that of a folksy, small-town radio show devoted to local gossip from the fictional Lake Wobegone and shaggy dog stories of every sort from anywhere. It is at once an homage to a vague recollection of Norman Rockwell's America, as well as a parody of the very sentimentality that such images inspires. Like Mad Magazine, "Companion" gets its cake and eats it too; it has become part of the fabric of Americana, while maintaining the right to stand back and mock the color and the pattern and the texture of that fabric. It has become the very thing it makes fun of, an American tradition.Like most American institutions in a corporate world, it got the chance to synergize, to expand its grasp into other media, in this case a feature length film. But a curious thing happened on the way to the cineplex; the messenger became the message and a proposed film about the citizens of Lake Wobegone became a film about the "Companion" radio show. And it all fell into the hands of iconoclastic director Robert Altman. An eternal pessimist, Altman has the knack for seeing what makes things tick by envisioning just how vulnerable that ticking might be. Thus, Altman, with the assistance of Keillor, brings A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION to life by prophesying its fictional death. Altman's PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, is not so much a testimonial or lifetime achievement ceremony or even a backstage musical as it is a wake, and its a eulogy for a subject that not only isn't dead, but is in no immediate danger of being deceased. This may not be what you would expect from Garrison Keillor, but it is what you might expect from Robert Altman.The story takes place largely during what is apparently intended to be the last broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion." As old and new bits and pieces of songs and skits are performed on stage, various characters, new and old, wonder about backstage, dealing with rumors and situations that promise that all is not as it should be. And as is the wont of such "let's put on a show" musicals, the film examines the difference between what the audience is intended to see and what goes on behind the stage backdrop.Surprisingly, there isn't all that much difference. Unlike, say in Altman's NASHVILLE, where good-ol'-boy onstage cheer is meant to hide backstage fears, desperation and neuroses, in COMPANION what you see is meant to be what you get. Keillor and his troop of performers (played by an all-star cast, substituting for his radio regulars) aren't intended to be exposed as phonies, just slightly more honest in their goofiness offstage. There is undeniable affection for the characters, which in itself is rare in an Altman film.Maybe that is why Altman and Keillor thought they needed the gimmickry of doing "the last show," to take something generally upbeat and darken it with a none-too-subtle dose of fatalism. And to this end, they seem to have gone a bit too far. Tommy Lee Jones showing up as "The Axeman," the corporate flack with the power to drop the final curtain, is a forgivably trite ploy. But on the other hand, Virginia Madsen roams around, onstage and off, as the "Dangerous Woman," an angel of death. In a white trench coat, with a halo of golden curls, Madsen's character makes her unearthly presence known to many of the characters, who react with surprising indifference. What could have been far more effective as a silent symbol, going largely unnoticed by most everybody, becomes irritatingly pretentious and portentous. Instead of giving the story depth and meaning, the heavy-handed character seems like a desperate attempt to make COMPANION more than it was ever meant to be, a cheerfully lightweight nostalgic entertainment.It is a pity they didn't have the courage to simply play the story as a "day in the life" mock documentary, because much of A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is delightful. Meryl Streep gives a wonderfully joyous performance as country singer Yolanda, a nice contrast to her suicide obsessed daughter played by Lindsey Lohan and to her cynical older-but-wise sister and singing partner Rhonda, played by Lily Tomlin. Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are more interesting onstage than off as a cowboy brothers Dusty and Lefty, and Kevin Kline dourly narrates as a film noir guy named Guy Noir. There is no depth to any of these characters, since they are fictions within a fiction, but they are amusing nonetheless. As the show's ringmaster, Keillor seems comfortably at home, but otherwise makes little impression when not in front of the microphone.In the end, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION seems less like a movie than an inflated version of an old TV variety show built around a cute gimmick, like "The Muppet Show." Of course, had the Angel of Death made an impromptu visit to "The Muppet Show," they would have steered her into a comedy skit with Gonzo the Great, got her to sing a duet of "I Can Do Anything Better than You" with Miss Piggy and coaxed her to join the cast for a rousing finale of a Heavenly rendition of "Hit the Road, Jack." As hosts, Keillor and Altman definitely could learn a thing or two from Kermit the Frog, namely to just lighten up.
A Wonderful Film While in the Moment
posted on 02 Aug 2009While watching a Prairie Home Companion I was certain that I was taking in the most enjoyable and entertaining film in recent memory. A PHC quickly draws you into the moment and while in it anything is possible. Time and reflection will likely prove that this light and breezy work of art is a wonderful film but no classic. However, while playing before you the PHC reveals and plays to the strength of its creators and cast as well as any film. Robert Altman, Garrison Keillor, et. Al, appear to be running on all cylinders and never run out of gas. Seeing that I was only slightly familiar with the actual PHC I can guarantee there is absolutely no need to know anything about it to enjoy the film.
Hollywood and the Prairie... who would have thought it could work?
posted on 29 Jul 2009After once through this movie, maybe you can tell that Garrison Keillor isn't the most experienced or polished screenwriter that ever danced his way through Hollywood. Or maybe you can tell that he's seen enough movies from that kind of screenwriter - movies that have followed marketing axioms and been relentlessly focus-grouped until all the joy and interest and actual craft have been sanitized out of them.Hollywood is full of cookie-cutter productions and formula flicks these days. This movie is certainly not that.Instead, A Prairie Home Companion is strong for its unevenness, for its willingness to indulge in the silliness of having an angel actually mingling among the rest of the characters, for its room full of characters who can be at once smarter and dumber than you'd expect, and for the chances it takes that it might lose the audience, but it certainly won't cast aside its integrity to keep them.What makes the film so attractive, maybe more than anything else, are the characters. Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly as a singing cowboy duo are a hilarious injection of total idiocy and just enough smarts to really zing the uptight stage manager. They don't preach or pander, and they don't play a stereotype, and neither does anyone else. Garrison Keillor (as a character called Garrison Keillor) is so mellow that you almost think he just doesn't get it, but still so charming (especially that silky voice) that he's irresistible. And anyone that can't find something to laugh at in Kevin Kline's hopeless security guard antics isn't having enough fun in show business.The music is a fine complement to the film as well, especially since each of the stage characters participates at least somewhat. No, I'm sure the recording industry won't be beating down any doors to sign anyone, but every single performance holds its own. And the fact that even these supposed live radio performers lack some polish actually enhances the songs too. On more than one occasion, a character in the midst of song allows emotion to affect their vocal mechanics and their performance.That kind of thing would get you voted off American Idol. This movie is certainly not that either.I've been a listener of the radio show since I was eight years old, and I firmly believe that whether you are or you're not, the experience of seeing the film is in no way diminished. It's just plain fun, prairie-style. Garrison Keillor-style. Call him smug if you want to, but I simply don't see this movie as preachy or allegorical in any way. I don't, for instance, see the Tommy Lee Jones character as representing some social evil, I see him simply as the requisite bad guy in a typical good-guys-vs.-bad-guys conflict. Sure, the role is contextualized so that it makes sense to a 2006 audience. But all these newspaper reviewers who keep insisting that he represents something more sinister are sifting the story just a little to finely for me. How touchy have we become as a society that every piece of entertainment has to be social commentary? But if there was ever a film that was okay with not being liked by everyone, this would be it. You can almost hear Garrison saying, "bad reviews are just a part of life" in his singsong, tranquilizing baritone. Either way, forgetting about the frustrations that go along with the negative reviews of this film is a snap once you're in the audience. This movie is warm, friendly, sentimental, and funny. The cast is ideal. And yes, the proportion and flow of the story (not to mention some of the weird winding roads the story travels) are a little off the beaten track. It sure isn't perfect, not by a long shot. But it ain't exactly a perfect world now, is it? So what's so wrong with that?
Close, but not quite there
posted on 29 Jul 2009I went to see "A Prairie Home Companion," directed by Robert Altman, fully expecting to return home and give the film a rating of 10. After all, I'm a PHC fan, a Robert Altman fan, a Meryl Streep fan, etc., etc. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out quite as I thought they would.The movie parallels the radio program, but deviates in some major ways. I don't think most of these deviations work. The least successful change was to have Kevin Kline play Guy Noir as a real-life private detective. (On the PHC radio program, he's a character in the weekly series called Guy Noir, Private Eye.) The radio Guy Noir is a tough 1950's detective who is over the hill--his abilities have left him, and the times have passed him by. Kevin Kline is, of course, lean and handsome, and his character never really finds a niche in the ensemble.Similarly, Virginia Madsen plays a character without a name-- the credits refer to her as Dangerous Woman--and she wanders in and out of the movie without ever being truly anchored in the plot.On the other hand, Meryl Streep does her usual extraordinary job as one of the singing Johnson Sisters, and her riffs with Lily Tomlin, who plays the other sister, are hilarious.Robin and Linda Williams playing themselves--two musicians frequently heard on PHC--get plenty of screen time, but not much credit. They carry the best musical portions of the movie, in my opinion.Finally, Garrison Keillor, also playing himself, is a reasonably good actor. I just don't think he has the experience or expertise to craft the screenplay for a film that needed a skilled and subtle professional.If you're a fan of Altman, Streep, or PHC, this movie is worth seeing. Just don't expect truly great things.
Uh... I don't get it...
posted on 28 Jul 2009A Prairie Home Companion was a movie about a live radio show that has been done for over 50 years. A big, bad corporation bought out the owners of the radio station and was going to turn the theater into a parking lot. The movie is set on the evening of the show's final running.
This movie was the most random, mish mash of unfunny, unrelated story lines. There's a mysterious white trench-coated woman, attempts at flatulence humor, dopey wannabe cowboys and an overdramatic spurned lover. With such a high-powered cast, one would think they could at least make it slighly entertaining on the power of their acting abilities alone. Unfortunately, 'twas not so.
Maybe I'm uniformed, unenlightened or stupid, but I must have completely miss the point (and maybe it's generous to assume there was one)... I didn't even get it after reading others' reviews... I feel like this film could have been made by a high schooler for their film class, and probably wouldn't have gotten a good grade. Nothing was connected, story lines just dropped off, bad accents were thrown around, an idiot detective putzing around the backstage...
The only saving graces were surprisingly good voices and ditties and Lily Tomlin (who received pathetically little screen time). ::sigh:: I kept wanting to turn it off, but I kept thinking it was going to get better, and it just never did... Bah, that was terrible...
If for no other reason watch for the "Bad Jokes"
posted on 25 Jul 2009Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion is one of those movies that to say it is unique is well its goofy unique.If you get Keillor's humor this is more than your cup of tea. Otherwise the film simply comes off as a variety or skit show, which really isn't to bad either.None of the skits/acts is really that bad and some like the "effects man" and the "bad jokes" song are really funny no matter what kind of humor you prefer.The story holds up well and there aren't terrible faults. In all it is a well crafted Robert Altman directed film.I guess my only nitpicking point deals with the merging of "film noir/guy noir" and the "angel" character? Perhaps simply knowing about film noir will fill in the ending, but was that tidbit really needed?
No point
posted on 23 Jul 2009Oh my God, what was the point of this movie? I was about ready to ask for my money back, but my friend said it would too drastic, though she agreed with me, that the movie was bad. Though I love most of the actors in this movie, they just weren't cast right.The show just was NOT interesting, there was not enough life in the movie. The only part of the movie that I actually did like was the previews because that was the first time I saw the commercial for Little Miss Sunshine and Marie Antoinnette, though now I'm bird walking. Anyways, I strongly recommend not wasting your money on this movie.
This is a fun movie to watch---especially if you are a Garrison Keillor fan
posted on 20 Jul 2009I found Robert Altman's last film to be delightful. The singing was quite good and the story line is easy to follow. Woody Harrelson was particularly entertaining as a singer. This movie may not be for everybody. Still, anyone who even mildly enjoys the humor of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion should obtain a copy. Five stars? Not quite, but four and a half stars guarantees it to be worth investing a few hours of your time. And yes, these well known actors truly seem to enjoy themselves. Working on this movie set was likely a lot of fun and the laughter never-ending.
A delightful film
posted on 01 Jul 2009This is a delightful film about radio the way it really ought to be, but isn't. Even the real radio show Prairie Home Companion isn't like this because it's not on commercial radio. LQ Jones is at his best since he did Battlecry and earned his name. Wonderful performances by the entire cast, each and every one a gem. There are so many little things to delight the viewer. Was that cowboy poet and former large animal veterinarian Baxter Black who I saw sitting with some of the radio show cast in several scenes? Her never did or said a thing, but there's no mistaking him and his moustache. There are twists and turns in the plot that are so like old time radio shows. Streep, as usual, has her accent nailed and Tomlin is perfect. Wonderful naughty songs intertwined with gospel.
If you like the radio version, you'll like the movie
posted on 17 Jun 2009Its not quite what I expected. This movie really brought the radio show to life for me. I loved seeing some of the show's real players such as Garrison and the sound effects guy, as well as the fictitious Guy Noir and others. But, if you're not a fan of the radio show, I'm not sure what there would be to like here. There's not much of a plot line and it seems like the main point of the movie was to see the show in action.*** Spoilers Below *** The Dangerous Lady interjected a theme of death and things ending, but I'm not sure what the point of that was. Is the real show planning to end sometime soon? Is there a hidden message here? If not, I don't get it. When she takes Akers it seems reasonable - he's an old man. Then she takes the axe-man, but to no effect. And finally she shows up at the end just as the cast is trying to reunite - again, for what?I'm having to stretch for a message here, but the only thing I can think of is that this movie is a send off for the radio show. Its as if they wanted to make a record of the show for posterity before its over. The real cast IS getting old, as was mentioned many times in the movie. And even the axe-man makes a comment in the booth about how it would be nice to have a video of this last performance to put in a museum. Maybe this movie IS the video. I have not heard anything about the real show ending, so I'm reaching here.The movie leaves one with a beautiful melancholy feeling ... a feeling of a fond memory ... not a feeling of a vibrant and living show. But, its a lovely movie for those who love the original. If you've heard the radio show, go see it. Otherwise, you might be disappointed.
Terrible ~~waste of time!!!!
posted on 17 Jun 2009My sister and I went and saw this and 5 people through the first 30 minutes got up and left the theater.....We sat the whole way through, but I honestly couldn't tell you the point of the movie. It's very deceiving, with all the "famous" people in the movie. Granted there were about 2 funny parts, but other than that, I felt more dumb having sat through the whole movie. A couple hours spent in the theater that I'll never get back! Some others say that that it would be a good movie, but I would like to find someone who understands the point of the movie and one who actually enjoyed it. I certainly did not, and not very many that were in the theater with us did either.
Take to the Junk Yard-Prairie Home Companion 1/2*
posted on 17 Jun 2009Noted director, Robert Altman, went out with a sour bang in this miserable 2006 production.Meryl Streep singing country music? You have to be kidding. Miss Streep and a very old looking Lili Tomlin are just too old for the Johnson sisters.The songs are ridiculous and the story line isn't much better as the theater where they stage their boring shows is slated for demolition.Virginia Madsen plays the woman in white who represents death. Wherever she is, there are problems. Just ask Tommy Lee Jones, in a brief role, who takes a ride with Madsen and is never seen again.That country singer who dies in another room after performing is another mystery that the film does not come to grips with. Did he die a natural death or was there foul play? The viewer is so annoyed with this that at this point you wouldn't care.Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are along for the ride as fellow country singers performing on the show. Their songs, like the rest of this mess, are inane as well.
A must for radio show fans
posted on 13 Jun 2009If you are a follower of the weekly radio program on National Public Radio, this show is a must for you. I doubt it will mean much to people not familiar with the shows content or style except to see the great job done by the cast that is assembled for this show. Garrison Keilior playing himself gives a wonderful performance, not really acting, just being himself as he does every week on the radio. Meryle Streep and Lily Tomlin are just magic as the Johnson sisters, and Dusty and Lefty add some great humor to the show. There is much I could say but if you are a fan just make sure you get to see this classic. It is one of those shows that you don't want to see end. I loved it.
A thin film
posted on 07 Jun 2009I am sure the die hards will hate my assessment, but the film is very thin. Unless you happen to enjoy Keeler's self conscious winking at the audience in a "shucks-aren't-I-amusing" kind of way the movie will fall flat. This is the intellectual equivalent of HeeHaw, just for a different demographic. The plot is hackneyed, and nothing much really happens.There is some increbibly fine acting, and the scene between Marylouise Burke, Virginia Madsen and L.Q. Jones is some of the best acting I have seen in many a day. It is amazingly moving. Lohan, Tomlin and Streep all comport themselves beautifully and take turns warbling in pleasant ways. Madsen's character is the most interesting thing on screen, and one wishes she had many more scenes.If this were the best film of the year, as one commentator suggests, this is a very weak year.
More Radio
posted on 28 Aug 2009I would have been happier with just a film that showed the doing of a real radio show. In this movie, it seem that Garrison was singing more and talking less. Garrison's talking is what is so wonderful about the radio show. There was no Lake Wobegone, none of the other radio soap operas that make the radio show so wonderful.The story line never developed any tension or drama. The "Axe" man's coming was almost none existing. The struggle to tell or not tell was very weak.I like all of the actors. I like the radio show. I was sorry that the movie was not as good as the radio show.