A Prairie Home Companion

Plot

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.

Release Year: 2006

Rating: 6.8/10 (15,152 voted)

Critic's Score: 75/100

Director:
Robert Altman

Stars: Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson

Storyline
"A Prairie Home Companion", hosted by humorist

Writers: Garrison Keillor, Garrison Keillor

Cast:

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

Taglines:
Live every show like it's your last.

Details

Official Website:
Bac Films [France] |
Official site |

Release Date: 9 June 2006

Filming Locations: Fitzgerald Theater – 10 Exchange Street E., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $10,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: €371,854
(Italy)
(4 June 2006)
(115 Screens)

Gross: $20,342,852
(USA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Garrison Keillor got the name Lola for Lindsay Lohan's character from the song "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" from the musical "Damn Yankees" after Lohan successfully lobbied for a place in the film, even though there was no part written for her in the original script. Her character's name was also Lola in
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

Goofs:

Continuity:
The cigarette behind Guy Noir's ear changes positions between shots.

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]

User Review

A Joyful Film About Death

Rating: 10/10


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.