A Prairie Home Companion is old school. It's not fast paced, it's not big budget, but it's enjoyable and charming.
Prairie Home Companion is the longest running variety show on the FM airwaves of today's time and is prevalent throughout all ages.
Just last semester in my literature class, a girl did her semester term paper on the show. It features different acts of Appalachian songs, Western stories, Minnesotan and Norwegian folklore mixed in with live bands, and its famous host, Garrison Keillor.
The movie tells the story of the Prairie's last production in the Fitzgerald Theatre before it shuts down. Yes, it has been 30 years as Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin point out, but it does not have a sappy ending and everyone leaves at ease while Garrison keeps on living for the moment never missing a beat.
With Robert Altman's talents for always making a good movie with a large ensemble, he infuses the original Prairie's cast with some Hollywood notables into a perfect harmony that always keeps a smile on your face.
I give Prairie Home Companion 4 out of 5 Roses.
Reach the reporter at Monis.Rose@asu.edu.
