Listening to the soundtrack to director Robert Altman's big screen adaptation of
Garrison Keillor's near-mythical radio show is a lot like listening to
Garrison Keillor's near-mythical radio show.
Robin & Linda Williams wrap their gorgeous harmonies around the evening like a comforter, Guy's All-Star Shoe Band provides flawless accompaniment, Powdermilk Biscuits give shy people the courage to do what's needed, and
Keillor provides the whole affair with the kind of laconic and literate homespun charm that must have made hanging out with Mark Twain such a joy. The inclusion of Hollywood into Lake Woebegone (Meryl Streep,
Lily Tomlin, Woody Harrelson, John C. Reily and
Lindsay Lohan) barely shakes the foundation of the long-running program; instead, each actor brings a little danger to the affair. Streep and
Tomlin, appearing as the Johnson Sisters are more than harmonious on the old spiritual "Goodbye to Mama," Harrelson and Reily reverently adopt the characters of the perpetually grouchy cowboys Dusty and Lefty, and
Lohan, in what could either be described as her most fearless or most uncomfortable performance to date, lends enough desperation to "Frankie & Johnny" that the audience is glued to the stage.
Prairie Home Companion is an American institution and it's treated thusly on this fine collection of songs and skits. [The deluxe version of
PHC includes a DVD with musical performances, backstage banter and scenes from the film.] ~ James Christopher Monger