Quiet Saturday Night at Home
A Prairie Home Companion
Screenplay by Garrison Keillor.
Directed by Robert Altman.
Burbank, CA: New Line Home Entertainment, c2006.
- Starring:
- Garrison Keillor
- Lily Tomlin
- Meryl Streep
- Virginia Madsen
- Woody Harrelson
- Lindsay Lohan
- Tommy Lee Jones
You'll think it's a parody or a spoof but the movie is based on a real life program that Keillor hosts on Minnesota Public Radio, called A Prairie Home Companion. It's an old time radio variety show with musical numbers, comedy skits, serialized dramas and even fake commercials.
There is a plot -- this is the last show because the station's been bought out. You get to meet some zany characters, hear some funny musical numbers and relax. Some people will be frustrated because nothing really seems to happen. But in the end, it was just a glimpse backstage, a peak into a slice of the performers' lives. It was peaceful and calm and made me laugh and smile.
As with many Altman films, it wasn't what I was expecting. The ending kinda confused me because it was anti-climactic. Loved the commercials between performers. I listen to different OTR broadcasts, some of which have real commercials and Keillor captures how quaint they sound in today's world. It's almost a musical, so be prepared.
Visit the site to listen to live broadcasts and read the poems, letters and stories that make you remember a different time.
If you liked this movie and Keillor's work, you should also try Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe, a Canadian version of the radio show.
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