A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION Retrospective

Robert Altman ended his astonishing career of 39 features with this wistful comedy based on the characters of Garrison Keillor’s eponymous radio show. Referencing classic backstage musicals, and set on the evening of the show’s final bow, the plot follows a group of performers trying to save their program (including Kevin Kline and Meryl Streep), who are visited first by an angel (Virginia Madsen), and then an “Axeman” (Tommy Lee Jones), who represents the ruthless new station-owners poised for takeover. Shooting with four cameras, Altman captured the behind-the-scenes vitality of radio and theater, and thrilled his fans one last time. – Gillian Horvat