Review of A Prairie Home Companion (2006) by Kenny D — 23 Aug 2008

Robert Altmans final film is a beautiful, nostalgic meditation on creativity and finality. It's a wonderful recreation of the last show of the live radio show A Prairie Home Companion, before it becomes a relic of the past; destroyed by "a huge corporation from Texas".

The ensemble cast delivers excellent work and the whole thing feels almost improvised; with the camera "gliding" on stage and backstage, filming conversations, meditations on life, meetings and musical numbers.

The inclusion of "the angel" is in no way to be taken literal and in many ways this was the perfect film to end Altmans career; the aura of death is all over this film and yet in no way does it feel depressing.

Great songs, undeniably solid work from everybody involved (yes, even Lindsay Lohan delivers the goods) and above everything else; honest and warm, without ever turning into something corny. Altman ended his life (and career) on a high!