Review by Marty Mapes

A new documentary about Garrison Keillor (creator of the radio show A Prairie Home Companion) is subtitled The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes. The documentary, however, does not explain the origin or meaning of Keillor's red shoes. That might have been a minor quibble, but it turns out to be a symptom of deeper flaws with the documentary.

Filmmaker Peter Rosen got very good access to Keillor's home and work while shooting The Man on the Radio. As he told our film-festival audience, and as is apparent from the movie, Rosen was a fly on the wall. Rosen and his video equipment would stay in the room with Keillor while he worked, to the point where Keillor would begin talking to himself, apparently unaware that Rosen was still listening in. Rosen occasionally uses these internal monologues over video footage of Keillor going about his business. Keillor rides in a cab or walks on the streets of New York, a monologue from another time and place running on the soundtrack.

But a fly on a wall is limited in what he can learn. He can't ask questions, steer the conversation, or challenge someone who is telling a lie. He can only observe. I am not a fan of the talking-head documentary, but The Man on the Radio might have benefitted from some direct questions. Rosen seems unable to tell his story very directly. For example, Keillor doesn't mention the red shoes, and Rosen never asks, so we're left not knowing the meaning of the title.

What the movie does present is a peek into how Keillor's work habits (big, heavy laptop - always on, Keillor focused and oblivious to the rest of the world, lips moving as his internal voice leaks out) and his relationship with his colleagues (high expectations, little direction, friendly but impersonal).

reviews • videos • recommended • home