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A Prairie Home Companion

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A Prairie Home Companion

PG-13

Released Jun 9, 2006

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

Music

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

197 Reviews

59%

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50,000+ Ratings

A private investigator (Kevin Kline) keeps tabs on the proceedings as guests, cast and crew (Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan, Woody Harrelson) of a long-running radio show prepare for the final broadcast. Their home, the Fitzgerald Theater, is due for demolition, and they await the arrival of the Texas axe-man (Tommy Lee Jones). Meanwhile, the show's creator and host (Garrison Keillor) conducts business as usual in the face of the show's impending demise.

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Critics Consensus

The final film by the great Robert Altman, A Prairie Home Companion, the big screen adaptation of Garrison Keillor's radio broadcast showcases plenty of the director's strengths: it's got a gigantic cast and plenty of quirky acting and dialogue.

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Matthew Leyland

BBC.com

It's a warm and dignified end to a sometimes erratic but often enthralling career.

Jan 9, 2007

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Philip French

Guardian

It's a lovely and loving film.

Jan 6, 2007

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David Edelstein

New York Magazine/Vulture

The movie, redolent of death, is a sort of wake, but a funny-sad one, teeming with music, corny jokes, and an ensemble of gifted performers who appear to be having an obscene amount of fun in one another's company.

Jan 6, 2007

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Peter Sobczynski

The Spool

Altman conducts all of these disparate elements in a manner that simultaneously suggests both a practiced veteran and an eager newcomer. He calls upon all of his still-undiminished skills while staying agog with the possibilities to achieve.

Jun 9, 2021

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

A Prairie Home Companion exudes a general warmth and foolishness, favors the chaos of a creative community, argues for some sort of elemental human and artistic solidarity and kindness-and aside from that, not much.

Feb 14, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Contains not even the faintest trace of a plot.

Rated: 2/10

Nov 21, 2020

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Jacob B

While not the perfect period for the end of Robert Altman’s career, it’s pretty damn good. Fans of the radio show should love it, and fans of Altman (and I’m definitely one of them) will enjoy seeing the master doing what he does best with some of his long time collaborators.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

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N P

With an A-List cast, the carefree banter and charming show tunes within a niche radio show about to close is entertaining and delightful that harkens to an older time. However, I'm ngl that I was pretty bored. Maybe because the point of the movie is that nothing much was supposed to happen despite an angel of death on the loose. It's a chill watch with an interesting and laid back premise to witness these great actors interact, but besides that, that's kind of it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

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Joseph B

I was actually very surprised by this film. Great characters and a lot of fun music make the movie even more enjoyable. While the film has many side-plots, it is easy to keep up with. Performances that stand out particularly are Kline, Streep, Rudolph, Tomlin, Reilly, and Lohan. Kline and Reilly serve as great contrasts of comedic and dramatic actors while Streep and Tomlin’s charm being shown through song and comedy bring out the most laughs. Rudolph, in one of her early roles, show the true potential she had and why she succeeded. For Lohan, as it was her first role in a drama, the movie proves that she is not only great as a comedic actress, but also knows her craft as a dramatic actress in her transition from Disney kid to a leading Hollywood actress. I absolutely recommend this film. This all-star cast and plot make this film very enjoyable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

Rob G

An original and unique concept. Based on a real show's last night on air but with a fictional story and all star cast thrown in. Had the feel of those old time radio shows with a little weirdness thrown in with the cast of characters and Angel/Ghost. I've always loved this movie and have seen a few times now. Just makes you feel good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

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Jon L

Meryl Streep and Lindsay Lohan deliver incredible performances!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

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Kyle M

Robert Altman's final picture attracts based on his connective complex signature with a star-studded ensemble cleverly delivered in all the critical glory now properly grasped, even if not a listener to the titular radio broadcast done faithfully with comedic reverence. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

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Robert Altman

Director

Meryl Streep

Yolanda Johnson

Lindsay Lohan

Lola Johnson

Kevin Kline

Guy Noir

Woody Harrelson

Dusty

Garrison Keillor

GK

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Synopsis

A private investigator (Kevin Kline) keeps tabs on the proceedings as guests, cast and crew (Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan, Woody Harrelson) of a long-running radio show prepare for the final broadcast. Their home, the Fitzgerald Theater, is due for demolition, and they await the arrival of the Texas axe-man (Tommy Lee Jones). Meanwhile, the show's creator and host (Garrison Keillor) conducts business as usual in the face of the show's impending demise.

Director: Robert Altman
Producer: Robert Altman, Wren Arthur, Joshua Astrachan, Tony Judge, David Levy
Screenwriter: Garrison Keillor
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: River Road Entertainment, GreeneStreet Films Inc., Sandcastle 5 Productions, Prairie Home Productions, Picturehouse Cinemas
Rating: PG-13 (Risque Humor)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.3M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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