Review of A Prairie Home Companion (2006) by Spencer G — 31 Aug 2008

I am not a big fan of the radio show on Prairie Home Companion. I fine it entertaining sometimes, and I usually keep my dial on it when it is on, but I'd never deliberately tune into it. The movie, however, is amazing.

Robert Altman is a wonderful director, and this was his last completed project. The shots framing multiple characters and the natural conversations with multiple voices talking at the same time are so characteristic of his work. He also knew how to bring out the best from his actors. That Meryl Streep will be excellent goes without saying. Kevin Kline has an Oscar, John C. Reilly and Woody Harrelson have been nominated. But the performances are great all around. You even forget for a minute Lindsay Lohan is who she is and accept her as the daughter managing her mother's pension fund by the end of the film. This movie is fun, philosophical and interesting.