A Prairie Home Companion (2006) [Warner Archive Blu-ray review]

A Prairie Home Companion was Robert Altman’s last film. There are people now yelling that Paul Thomas Anderson had to ghost direct most of it. To that I say, why are you trying to “Actually” a Cinematic Team-Up between Altman and Anderson? You got a masterful ensemble that was double plus good directed by two titans. Did you forget that this film was based on a radio show that your grandparents thought was getting a little long in the tooth? Anyways, let’s talk about the Warner Archive Blu-ray.

Live from St. Paul…it’s Saturday Night!

Weekly live broadcasts are a pain and you didn’t even need Jason Reitman to understand that. A Prairie Home Companion brings together its cast of characters to stage the last ever episode of the titular show. A new company has bought the radio station and they’re looking at liquidating the show’s theater to save a few bucks. After sending in the Axeman (Tommy Lee Jones), the gang has one final chance to save their show. It’s a little bit Muppets and a little bit Andy Hardy, but these guys are going to do their best to save the day.

Coming off of Gosfork Park barely 5 years prior, Altman could have chose something more demanding. But, there’s a reason for A Prairie Home Companion to exist. It’s a reflection on when previously believed to be Old Fashioned things get a shot at claiming new life. While it doesn’t always work out, it’s the effort to have one great last show before everything goes dark.

Robert Altman knew he was going to die

Movies about impending death always do something for my brain. Honestly, you can say the same for most American audiences. A Prairie Home Companion was a modest hit based on a show that most knew existed but never listened to during a nightly broadcast. It’s not like there was this massive Public Radio fandom pushing people out into theaters back in 2006 to go watch A Prairie Home Companion. But, they showed up in theaters and on home video. Why?

Well, I’d like to assume that America was secretly giant Robert Altman fans for decades, but that’s not the case. There is a degree of appeal in watching people fight against the odds. Even when it seems like every aspect of life is out to get them. Couple that will a triple layer tale of creatives trying to get one last bite at the apple and you have something that works on an insane amount of levels. Plus, the music was pretty good.

Who works well in A Prairie Home Companion?

Lily Tomlin was meant to be in Altman movies. There’s a reason she shined in Nashville, Short Cuts and The Player. She gets the idea behind what it means to be in an Altman ensemble. The cacophany of voices talking over each other, the heavy examination of unexamined lives and the general heavy traffic of people just living among other people shine in her performances. More than anything, A Prairie Home Companion offers up Tomlin’s most reserved performance in an Altman movie. She’s a counterpoint to Meryl Streep’s performance and offers a secondary voice for Lohan’s character.

What I felt could have gone better

Virginia Madsen is a solid actress, however mystical radio show listener possessed by an angel. This angel arrives to carry the good and the bad away from the show, while also lightning up the lives of those around her. She knows the show as-is won’t survive, but she wants everyone from Guy Noir on down to the cowboys to understand that better things await them. All of this is by inference, as she seems to be in between every major scene, yet maybe has 3-4 minutes to talk at length.

Warner Archive goes Altman

I want to say this is the second Altman release from Warner Archive. I know they did a stellar job on Brewster McCloud and then I think it’s been thin since then. The special features range from additional scenes, a behind-the-scenes documentary and commentary with Kline and Altman. Plus, all of the other trappings that were on the old New Line DVD made it over.

The A/V Quality might irk some, but it feels very true to how the film was originally shown and is a marked improvement off the DVD. You a 1080p transfer that looks warmer when on stage vs. the theater and diner scenes. However, the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track really makes those musical moments pop. While it won’t be for everyone, it’s well enough to impress those that are already on the Altman train.

A Prairie Home Companion is now available on Warner Archive Blu-ray and is available at MovieZyng

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