Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Prairie Home Companion


If you are a fan of the PBS radio show A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor, you should see the new movie playing now. Mr. kenju, his brother and I just got home from the movie. The cast is stellar: Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Virginia Madsen, and more. They bring the show to life and there is some behind-the-scenes/backstage action plus the plot has an interesting side-twist you may not see coming. It all takes place in the same building (or across the street in a diner). It may not appeal to you if you have never heard of the radio show and want some heavy action in your movies.
The reviews in our paper gave the movie two stars; I think I'd go two and a half! Meryl Streep is fabulous in this one. I don't know if it was she singing all the songs and duets with Lily, but she has hidden talents if it was! Lily is not bad herself. We really enjoyed it, so I hope you do as well.

19 comments:

Bobealia... said...

I think Meryl Streep is SO talented. It is not playing at my local theatre... I will go upon your suggestion.
Just stoppin' by to wish you a happy day!

Carolyn said...

My hubby is really wanting to see that movie too, as am I. A couple nights ago, PBS aired a PHC show that sort of intro'd the movie, and Meryl Streep was on it. PHC and Garrison Kieller are great!

By the way, happy belated anniversary to you & your hubby. You both look fantastic and beautiful in that photo too! :)

And happy 4th!!

poopie said...

Can't wait to see it!

Anonymous said...

We're Finnish Lutherans, so, of course, we must go!

Pax Romano said...

Loved it!

brendalove@gmail.com said...

Thanks for the recommendation! I may have to wait and rent it though...because on Friday Pirates of the Caribbean with YOU KNOW WHO comes out!

srp said...

I know Glen Close sings, she played Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd on Broadway. Don't know about Meryl Streep though. Lily Tomlin is sooooooooo funny.

I took pics of the Mt. Trashmore fireworks. You could only get a car about three blocks from our house. I couldn't believe how many people parked over on Princess Anne and walked the mile over to Independence and Trashmore. All for a 20 minute display of fireworks.

My dream? To have a really super dooper stomping camera and to take both a video and still photos of the Boston Pops fireworks display.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I think it was Sunday there was a "LIVE" Prarie Home Compasnion on PBS from The Berkshires and Meryl Streeo was on that, too. She does her own singing in the movie as she did in "Postcards From The Edge" and as she did on this wonderful show on Sunday, too. I will have to wait for the movie to come on out on DVD...! It sounds just wonderful to me!

goldenlucyd said...

Our family just enjoyed a short holiday in Santa Fe but it's good to be home! I love Meryl Streep but being such a city girl I think I'll go to "The Devil Wears Prada" instead.
Hope your Fourth was super!

Gel said...

Not seen the show or movie but sounds like a terrific one. Mr. Escape Artist and I love songs. Hope your 4th of July was special!

Eddie said...

I saw part of the same show with Garrison that Carolyn spoke of above.
We are looking forward to the movie.

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed Prairie Home Companion for years and got to meet Garrison in person at a writers conference.
So I'll be sure to add this movie to my Netflix list.
Thanks for sharing, Judy.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hi Judy, You should rent "Postcards" cause it is a funny movie as well as a good film! Shirley Maclaine plays Meryl Streeps mother and she is wonderful, too! They both sing...by the end of the movie, Meryl Streep sings fabulously! That woman can do anything! I hear that "The Devil Wears Prada" is a fabulous moviem too!

Beverly said...

i loved this movie. Some of the ladies I was with had not heard the radio show before, so I told them where to find it on the dial, and they tuned in on their way home from the movie.

Sort of reminded me of my trip to the Grand Ole Opry.

Meryl Streep is great in the Prada movie as well.

rennratt said...

I am betting that Meryl Streep really did sing in this movie. She sang all of the songs for her character in "Postcards from the Edge" back in the early 90s.

sage said...

I'm glad to read your review, I'm a regular listener to Keillor on the radio and just read a blog blast the movie, but doubt the author listens to the show.

Raehan said...

2 1/2 is good enough for me. I want to go see it. : )

Thanks for the review.

David Edward said...

what if I am not a radio show fan will I dig it anyway ( did I just say "dig?" )
I do love meryl streep - did you see her in Adaptation w Nick Cage? very weird film/ book
its summer - too much to do to watch movies.....

carmilevy said...

Any movie that actually attempts to tell a story without resorting to CGI and other forms of special effects is at least worth an initial look from me. Writing, producing, acting, directing...the way movies should still be made.

Until then, I'm counting the days until the end of the horrific blockbuster season.