A Prairie Home Companion Therapeutic, Sensational

     A Prairie Home Companion is old fashioned. Its plot doesn’t have any rules, continuous folk music is playing in the background (and, in many cases, foreground) and the only way to enjoy it is to fully submerge yourself in the world the movie creates. For those very same reasons, A Prairie Home Companion is a movie that you can (and will want to) watch over and over again. In many ways, the movie is therapeutic – the perfect remedy to every infirmity. It’s also the best movie of the year so far.

     A Prairie Home Companion is based on the radio program of the same name created by Garrison Keillor. Keillor also stars in the film along with several A-list celebrities like Meryl Streep, Woody Harrelson, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, Lindsay Lohan and John C. Reilly. The movie takes place during the fictional final episode of the radio program and focuses on the events that occur behind the scenes and the relationships between the stars and staff of the show. The program is coming to an end, in the film, at the hand of the Axe Man, played by Tommy Lee Jones.

     The rumor of the show’s end slowly echoes through those involved with the show during the live broadcast, which is performed in front of a studio audience. Still, the show must go on so everyone performs as usual, giving their most heartfelt (and sometimes controversial) performances to date. The only person that appears impervious to the news is Keillor, who asserts, “Every show is your last show. That’s my philosophy.” Meanwhile, a mysterious woman played by Virginia Madsen shows up on the set and begins affecting each of the stars and staff members.

     It doesn’t take long for A Prairie Home Companion to affect everyone in the audience. It is a sensational cinematic masterpiece that will have you in tears one moment and laughing out loud the next. Being a fan of the radio program is not a requirement to appreciate the movie. You need not have even heard of the show to become instantly engulfed by the high entertainment value. The motion picture may attract an generally older audience, but moviegoers of all ages that are willing to completely give in to a movie are guaranteed to fall in love with A Prairie Home Companion.

     The most infectious quality of the flick is the music. The folksy sounds of Red River Valley and Frankie and Johnny will stay with you for a long time after leaving the theatre. However, the most memorable tune is definitely Bad Jokes, which is basically a collection of corny stories sung by Harrelson and Reilly. It is impossible not to yearn for the soundtrack to listen to this wonderful blend of songs that are sure to cheer anyone up.

     All of the stars of A Prairie Home Companion are truly talented but it is Streep who gives the most genuine performance. Her character can hardly be considered glamorous (in fact, she’s a bit ragged), yet Streep is as beautiful as ever. Her gossip with Tomlin’s character seems absurd at first but once you allow the dialogue to wash over you it is absolutely brilliant. At least some of the credit belongs to director Robert Altman, though, who keeps the movie undulating between characters and musical numbers without ever allowing the flick to become dull or outlandish.

     A Prairie Home Companion is unlike any other movie you’ll see this year. It is something you won’t ever forget and won’t want to, either. This is the feel-good movie of 2006. No matter what you’re in the mood for, the very magically uplifting A Prairie Home Companion will keep you company, touch your heart and send music, comedy and romance through your soul.