PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION

[Zlatko Waterman]

Fans of Garrison Keillor's fine radio show on NPR ought to enjoy Robert Altman's film translation. Perhaps you weren't aware of what a fine singer Meryl Streep is? Or what an effective duo she and Lily Tomlin make? Or that Kevin Kline, Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson and many others could brew up so much comedy onstage?

If you're a fan of traditional jazz, blues, bluegrass, gospel or plain old sentimental parlor songs, you'll dig this film.

Great for Pat Donahue and Peter Oshtrusko fans ( like me), too.

Altman's direction shines with his usual brilliance.

http://www.aprairiehomecompanionmovie.com/

Five stars from "Z"


--Z

[e_dog]

Z-man,

i like Altman's films but because I enjoy Prairie Home Companion the radio show i am a bit hesitant of seeing this film. I mean, Garrison Keillor really has a face for radio, and i am afraid the image of him as a kind looking grandfather type that i project onto the radio show will disappear when i see the movie. every time i see Keillor on camera, in interviews for example, it is, not so much a scary, but an Unheimlich experience.

[Doreen Peri]

My sister, who is not at all an Altman fan... (she says he's not a director, he just points and shoots anything)... loved this movie.

I am a diehard "Prairie Home Companion" fan. Our Cabaradio is in a similar format as a tribute. (hope we haven't offended Garrison Keillor in any way )

I can't wait to see this movie becuase I AM an Altman fan and a Keillor fan. Had it been done just as a documentary, I wouldn't be looking forward to seeing it nearly as much.

But because much of it was written by Keillor (a fictionalized presentation) and since his writing is sparkling and his wit gets me on the floor laughing every time, I already know I'm going to love it.

I own this DVD
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?mov ... 696215_1_0
which is a live performance of PHC celebrating 30 years. I recommend seeing this one, too!

[Zlatko Waterman]

Doreen:

Rest assured, GK's writing sparkles in this film too.

The music is what makes this film great. Mary got the combination CD and DVD ( with unedited musical performances), which is terrific.

And CyberCanine, I dig what you say about Keillor's physical presence, but I don't think it distracts that much from this particular film.

--Z

[Doreen Peri]

Honestly, I've never understood when people have said he was odd looking. I think he's got a great face for the stage!

And that's what "Prairie Home Companion" is. It's a stage show. You hear it on the radio but it's a live radio show done on stage with a live audience.

http://www.folkalley.com/gallery/phc/Ke ... uise_JPEG2

Zlatko - The music on all the shows is great! Can't wait to see it. After I do, I'll come back and offer my take on it.