Directed by the ageless Hollywood rebel Robert Altman, A Prairie Home Companion is a touching and melancholic, yet hugely entertaining film.
The comedy is a fictional account of the final performance of a factual weekly radio programme that is performed and broadcast live by an array of performers.
The film opens with news that a Texas-based business chain has taken over the long-running show's station and theatre. They are sending a representative known as 'The Axeman' (Tommy Lee Jones) to tear down the theatre and build a car park.
The show's real-life creator and chief performer Garrison Keillor, who plays himself in the film, is joined by a crowd of Hollywood's finest talents.
The two remaining members of a singing family (Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin), two singing cowboys (Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly), and private-detective-cum-security-guard Guy Noir (Kevin Kline), are just a few members of this stellar group.
The film itself is something of a variety show. There is no storyline as such, just a collection of interesting episodes of backstage drama.
