Allen Zadr's Journal: [Movie] A Prairie Home Companion

" It was a dark night, in a city that knows how to keep it's secrets... "

The movie was necessary for me to see. Every weekday, my car is parked in the parking ramp attached to "the Fitz", I've only lived in Minnesota since 1999, and I'm keen to learn as much as possible about it's peculiarities. The radio show that this movie was written about (though fictionalized) is definately born from Minnesota.

Well, it wasn't that big on plot, though the setup had a lot of potential. However, doing what it could have done, given the elements available would have probably been too contrived. Lindsey Lohan was in it... a character re-written into the movie ...didn't have a purpose, except to be the only character in the movie under 35 years of age. If it weren't for John Reilly and Woody Harrelson, there'd have been nobody else under 50.

It's an old folks film about old folks doing things that old folks care about. There was a little too much about death, and not nearly enough about redemption. It was given high star marks because the characters were all believable in their roles, not because it was an important movie, or that the movie had an exciting plot.

As far as bringing the radio show characters to life... well - Guy Noir was dumber than I expected him to be. Dusty and Lefty were a bit smarter, but ultimately had far more depth than they warrant. There were no stories about Lake Wobegone - though there were stories.

The style was interesting. Besides a few minutes before and after the middle of the movie... the whole movie was going on during one broadcast of the radio show. Most of it taking place back-stage, while the show itself was ever overheard during the scenes. Otherwise Tom O'Keiffe - the sound guy from the real show got to do sound-effects during the show - but Sue Scott - who does most of the female parts during the stories in the radio-show only got a small part as a makeup lady.

It was fun, in part, because of the elements that it had that are particularly local. I know people who are much like every character in the movie, though I may not have known most of them had I not lived in Minnesota. In that, I have a hard time recommending the movie. Yet, I'm glad I did see it.

My wife, who was born in Minnesota, thought that the movie was pointless, and boring. Me, I liked it, but didn't walk out of it thinking that it changed my life, or even my week. So, there you go. Probably the worst review you've ever read.

Garrison Keillor

[janeowit]

Two things, first I am not really sure how big of a part she has, but she's been pretty big in promoting it, but Maya Rudolph is another actor in the movie under 35.

Second, the sound of Garrison Keillor's voice makes me nauseous. I'm not even joking a little bit. After years of having to listen to "A Prairie Home Companion" on the way home from Saturday errands, the ride always triggering my motion sickness, they two are inevitably linked in my brain. So whenever I hear him, I get that carsick feeling. It's

Re:Garrison Keillor

[Allen Zadr]

She plays a role, but a forgettable one. Sorry about your car-sickness.

PHC

[robi2106]

I have been listening to PHC for about 2 decades, possibly more. I absolutely love the show and will see the movie. Now as to the point of the movie, I only want it to show visually what the show looks like because I have never been able to go see a show. As far as great plots, well that just isn't as important to me because it is about the radio show. When I heard about the movie, i thought it might be a neat chance for the movie to do some sort of "fade to picture" from the stage setting into a (for e

Re:PHC

[Allen Zadr]

I saw the show live at the 2004 Minnesota State Fair (yes, I park, daily, IN THE RAMP, and have never seen the show on it's home stage). My only excuse is I've only been working in St. Paul for about 4 months now.

The set is pretty much the same for the movie, except for the addition of antique style microphones that aren't part of the actual show. Otherwise, the band is the SAME PEOPLE, and Tom Keiffe (duh) is Tom Keiffe, and Garrison Keillor's mug is no better in person either.