'Prairie Home Companion' is as fun as comfort food

A Prairie Home Companion is as satisfying as a slice of rhubarb pie. Written by long-time public radio host Garrison Keillor, movie goers will not be surprised to find a cast of familiar voices, music which ranges from bluegrass to ad jingles and humor which manages to be a bit old-fashioned and naughty at the same time.

The new movie played to packed audiences at Sisters Movie House last week and is coming back to the local theater this week by popular demand.

This is a backstage story told almost entirely during one radio show which the actors think may be their last because the radio station has been purchased by a large conglomerate. Director Robert Altman, known for directing ensemble casts in movies such as Gosford Park and M*A*S*H, asked Garrison Keillor to write the screenplay.

Fans of Keillor's weekly public radio program will find most of the characters familiar. There is much cross-over between Keillor's real-life public radio show and the movie's fictitious one. Richard Dworsky leads The Guys All-Star Shoe Band in traditional country and original songs. The recognizable voices of Sue Scott and Tim Russell, regulars on Keillor's real radio show, come alive as they play the make-up lady and stage manager in the movie. Tom Keith is a sound man extraordinaire who makes noises resembling everything from creaking doors, footsteps and helicopters in both the real and movie radio shows.

Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin are appealing as a long-running sister singing act. Backstage they talk non-stop and dispense country wisdom. These are veteran actresses at their entertaining best.

Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly enjoy their roles as the likeable singing cowboys Dusty and Lefty. They amble through the movie spreading their rough-around-the-edges brand of trail humor. The movie's PG-13 rating for language comes mostly from their song "Bad Jokes" - which are exactly that. Although bad and a bit off-color, the jokes are awfully funny.

Kevin Kline plays would-be suave detective Guy Noir who has been reduced to working as the theater's doorman. He looks dashing but brings laughs as he bumbles around backstage in the clumsy style of Inspector Clouseau.

The only odd note to the movie came from a character described as either Dangerous Woman or Angel. Perhaps Keillor thought she was needed to bind together the ensemble cast but I saw her as a distraction. Academy Award nominated actress Virginia Madsen is not given much to do in this role but look vacant.

Aside from that, this is an honestly fun and entertaining movie which stands out from formula Hollywood. If you enjoy his radio program as I do, you'll enjoy the movie. As Keillor sings, "Honey, could you ask for more?"

Keillor started his radio program by the same name in 1969 and it has continued since then with a two-year hiatus. Today, "A Prairie Home Companion" is heard by more than four million listeners each week. It is usually produced at Saint Paul, Minnesota's Fitzgerald Theater but Keillor takes the show on the road and has visited Oregon many times. This state contributes a sizeable proportion of his listening audience.

"A Prairie Home Companion" returns to Sisters Movie House starting this Thursday and shows through the weekend.