A Prairie Home Companion (2006)

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.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Garrison Keillor (screenplay), Garrison Keillor (story)

Stars:

Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson

5 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marylouise Burke	...	Lunch Lady
Woody Harrelson	...	Dusty
L.Q. Jones	...	Chuck Akers
Tommy Lee Jones	...	The Axeman
Garrison Keillor	...	GK
Kevin Kline	...	Guy Noir
Lindsay Lohan	...	Lola Johnson
Virginia Madsen	...	Dangerous Woman
John C. Reilly	...	Lefty
Maya Rudolph	...	Molly
Tim Russell	...	Stage Manager
Sue Scott	...	Makeup Lady
Meryl Streep	...	Yolanda Johnson
Lily Tomlin	...	Rhonda Johnson
Tom Keith	...	Himself - Sound Effects Man

Storyline

A final live variety show broadcast via radio becomes a metaphor for the natural order of life. A concept and script by Garrison Keilor uses every natural and technical element of working with a tight and close ensemble producing a weekly show to sooth us and guide us through the natural but difficult transitions of aging, becoming less relevant and then dying as new, young life develops and strengthens during our final "performances." This is a rare film for it's remarkable cast and crew and one wonders how the great Robert Altman was able to gather them all at the same place and time to shoot this film.

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Plot Keywords:

singing | radio | backstage | country music | radio show | 

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Taglines:

Live every show like it's your last.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for risque humor

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Norwegian

Release Date:

9 June 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Noches mágicas de radio

Filming Locations:

Fitzgerald Theater - 10 Exchange Street E., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,566,293, 11 June 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$20,342,852

Company Credits

Production Co:

Picturehouse, GreeneStreet Films, River Road Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For insurance purposes, and in the event that eighty-year-old Director Robert Altman was unable to finish shooting the film, Paul Thomas Anderson was employed as a standby director.

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Goofs

Garrison Keillor is wearing a wedding ring part of the time, then not wearing one other times.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Radio Announcer: Market reports today, barrows and gilts uh two hundred twenty to two hundred sixty pounds, they're lower at forty dollars uh sows are steady three hundred five hundred pounds thirty four to thirty seven dollars going over to feeder cattle, beef steers - one hundred twenty to one hundred fifty dollars and two hundred to three hundred
[fade out]

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Crazy Credits

There is a credit for Sign Painter in the film, although it does not appear on the official site.

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Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: The Making of 'A Prairie Home Companion' (2006)

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Soundtracks

I Used To Work In Chicago
Music by Garrison Keillor
Lyrics, Traditional
Performed by Woody Harrelson & John C. Reilly

User Reviews

A Joyful Film About Death

As usual Altman will divide his audience in a radical way. He, clearly, doesn't do it on purpose but it happens more often than not with the works of real artists where there is no room (or very little) for concessions. It is what it is, his vision, his whole. He mentioned that the film was about death and found that not everyone agreed not even some of his closest and more devoted collaborators. That's what he saw, that's what it is but it's bound to be contradicted by critics and audiences alike. Personally, I don't think I'll see a better film this year. The work of an idiosyncratic artist and masterful craftsman doesn't hit the main stream screens every day of the week. My only reservation is that the film is too short. I wanted to go on and on and on. To say that Meryl Streep is sublime seems kind of redundant but never mind, she is, sublime, surprising, funny, very funny, moving, very, very moving. Lily Tomlin and Meryl have the best moments in the film. They appear, look and sound as if they had been working together all their lives. Total chemistry. Lindsay Lohan is the biggest surprise. Good for her. That's the way to forge a way ahead. Work with the best. Woody Harrelson and John C Reilly are simply glorious. Kevin Kline does a Kevin Kline in the most enchanting way. It was also a delight to see Garrison Keillor himself playing himself, not just wonderfully but very convincingly as well. I recommend it with all my heart.