A Prairie Home Companion

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Kevin Kline, Tommy Lee Jones, Garrison Keillor, Lindsay Lohan, Virginia Madsen, John C. Reilly, Maya Rudolph, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin
Directed by: Robert Altman
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
2006

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: During the last production of the radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, the entire cast all put on their last show, but also try to cope with the end of something that has been a huge part of their life.

Review:

Tim: I haven't seen nearly enough of Robert Altman's work, but I can't say at this junction that I am a wildly huge fan of his work. This film received great reviews, and I see the positives of the film. However, I felt like the film had some pretty big flaws as well. I'm not sure if this film's status as Robert Altman's last work before he died caused critics to overlook this faults, but I saw them.

I will say that he assembled an impressive cast, who all give good performances. Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are both good as two cowboys, and their singing is quite impressive. Kevin Kline gives a pretty good performance, and he has one of my favorite lines (when talking to Maya Rudolph about her pregnancy). Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin both sing beautifully, but I couldn't help but find them both quite annoying throughout the movie. Virginia Madsen is good in a very reserved but important role. Lindsay Lohan isn't nearly as bad as she so often is. I liked seeing Tommy Lee Jones, but I wish he had more screen time. The cast is impressive, even if they don't all give incredible performances.

The movie blends reality with fantasy, and it takes a few moments for us to understand exactly where these lines blur. The movie doesn't give us too many answers, instead providing us with a number of questions, and leaving us to come to our own conclusions. The film's end is this way.

A Prairie Home Companion works well when we see the actors on stage, singing or doing funny commercials. It falters when we see the cast off stage, interacting in their normal lives. The whole subplot with the angel is interesting, but a bit odd, too. It doesn't exactly mesh well with the rest of the movie, giving the whole film a disjointed feel. The movie is interesting for a while, but ultimately, it does too little right to be great.


Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Gosford Park, Dr. T. and the Women, The Company, Popeye