THE SYNOPSIS A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION is a popular live radio show performed on stage in the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hosted by Garrison Keillor (himself), it features many talented singers who put on a great show. Behind the scenes is just as exciting, as many, many people are involved in putting on the show. The many characters in this microcosm include resident security chief Guy Noir (Kline)--who’s not as smooth and debonair as he thinks; the singing Johnson Sisters, Rhonda (Tomlin) and Yolanda (Streep); her daughter Lola (Lohan); the naughty cowboy singers Lefty (Reilly) and Dusty (Harrelson); harried and pregnant stage manager Molly (Rudolph) and randy cowboy singer Chuck Akers (L.Q. Jones). During the show--to be the last, by the way--2 visitors appear to make it an interesting evening. The first is the curt and business-like Mr. Axeman (Tommy Lee Jones)--who’s there to close up shop so that his firm may tear down the theater to build offices or condos. The second is the Dangerous Woman (Madsen)--an Angel and femme fatale all rolled up in one. While the show goes on, everyone recollects their careers on APHC and we get to know these wonderful people. Sadly, Chuck dies after his performance when Dangerous Woman visits him. According to G.K., the show must go on. With much encouragement, Lola (a budding singer-songwriter) is sent on stage to wow the crowd. And she does! Axeman is not impressed, but Dangerous Woman pays him a visit too. In the end, the APHC is shut down, but the principals meet up years later to reminisce. Dangerous Woman also makes an appearance... THE CRITIQUE When I think of a Robert Altman picture, 2 very distinctive things come to mind: zoom-lensing and overlapping dialogue. The auteur (and he’s earned the right to that title) does not disappoint in those 2 aspects of filmmaking. APHC is Altman’s umpteenth effort behind the camera, but only his 2nd using the tadpole-stage HD video process (more on that later). The 80-year old Kansas boy has still got it! His greatest gift is beside visual imagery is his craft at working with large ensemble casts. Like Woody Allen, any actor worth their salt would kill to be in a Robert Altman picture. I can see why. APHC is, of course, based on radio personality Garrison Keillor’s weekly radio broadcasting show based out of the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota (yes, named after author F. Scott himself and yes, kiddies--the state capital of Minnesota). According to its website, the show is heard by over 4 million listeners each week (on 580 public radio stations and military stations abroad). That’s a lot of ears! OK: on to the movie. The cast is uniformly terrific. What else can I say about the likes of Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline (amusing as a cross between Philip Marlowe and Inspector Clouseau), Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Maya Rudolph, Tommy Lee Jones, Virginia Madsen and Keillor himself? Totally cool, every last one of them--oh wait, can’t also forget one of my favorite character actors, L.Q. Jones. He’s still a cowboy! Oh, by the way: every actor who sings in the movie recorded their own music. Beat that lip-synchers! Behind the lens, APHC also works nicely because of the talent involved. The robust, widescreen HD lensing is courtesy of veteran cinematographer Edward Lachman (Far From Heaven/Erin Brockovich/The Limey). Originally shot in anamorphic 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the film is expertly formatted for 2.35:1 scope ratio. The results are lovely compositions and elegant framing. The use of the authentic PHC theater is a major plus in the production design category while other tech credits are pro all the way. The musical numbers are pretty lively too. HOWEVER... (and you knew that this was coming) The major problem I have with movie is that it isn’t really very interesting. In spite of all the plusses I had just afore-mentioned, APHC just isn’t quite what many others are raving about. The movie plays more like a docu-drama than anything else and I think that’s what may hurt this project. The script is flimsy at best, superfluous at most. Another thing is the use of HD video to shoot the movie with. As you know, I am a proponent of film, so using HD on something like this is (while cost-effective) a detractor. A nice, 35mm film stock would have made some good cinematography more robust and textured. But what do I know... THE BOTTOM LINE All in all, it’s a Robert Altman movie. What else can I say? Wonderfully-acted, handsomely-shot (HD video notwith-standing) and amusing at best. Was I loving every minute of it? Not really; but I respect the effort put into it by cast and crew. If you’re a Robert Altman fan or an APHC listener, then this one’s for you baby. Otherwise, satellite radio has nothing to worry about... CREDITS: Director: Robert Altman; Screenwriter: Garrison Keillor; Story by: Garrison Keilor, Ken LaZebnik; Producers: Robert Altman; Wren Arthur, Joshua Astrachan, Tony Judge, David Levy; Director of Photography: Edward Lachman; Production Designer: Dina Goldman; Costumes: Catherine Marie Thomas; Editor: Jacob Craycroft; Music: Richard Dworsky CAST: Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Garrison Keillor, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reilly, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, Maya Rudolph, Tommy Lee Jones, L.Q. Jones, Virginia Madsen. AC/AL 2006 105m ENGLISH http://prairiehome.publicradio.orgshapeimage_2_link_0