The more films I watch, the more I realize just how much there is to see. I like to think that I have watched a wide variety of films, but it pales in comparison to reality, including some very important films that are left to see. Why do I bring this up? Robert Altman is one of those directors whose name I know, but whose catalog is primarily foreign to me. Before A Prairie Home Companion, I had only seen a couple of his films. Now, I am sure you would rather read some thoughts about this film.
The film centers on the impending final show of a long running radio variety show called "A Prairie Home Companion." That's an actual show in Minnesota, hosted by Garrison Keillor who wrote the screenplay for this film based on his story. He also stars as the host, aptly named G.K. The story is in essentially real time, following the performers as they arrive and prepare for the show, then actually putting on the show while the drama swirls around them.
As the show goes on, they prepare for who they call "The Axeman." The station had recently been purchased by a big unnamed Texas company, and they sent one of their men to Minnesota to deliver the bad news in person. Besides waiting for the bad news, they must contend with the personality conflicts that come up between the performers, who are much more like a family than mere co-workers. There is also the case of a mysterious woman in white who has been seen walking around the premises.
The story just seems so inconsequential next to the personalities here, it is more like a "day in the life" type of tale. It made no difference whether the show actually got canceled or not. I actually found myself disconnected from the film. I did not care about the story and, to an extent, I really didn't have any connection to the characters. The strange thing is, I found myself wanting to see more of these people, it is something I cannot truly explain. It is as if I was kept at arms length despite my efforts to draw myself closer to them.
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