IMDb >
L.A. Story (1991)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsL.A. Story (1991) More at IMDb Pro »
| Photos (see all 25 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
8 February 1991 (USA) moreTagline:
Something funny is happening in L.A.Plot:
With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a "wacky weatherman" tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early-90s Los Angeles. full summary | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
Male Female Relationship
|
Earthquake
|
Reference To Shakespeare
|
Abstract Art
|
City Name In Title
more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Rotten Scoundrels again (From JoBlo. 25 September 2008, 3:36 PM, PDT)
Martin Marries in Surprise Wedding (From WENN. 30 July 2007)
User Comments:
Martin at His Best moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Steve Martin | ... | Harris K. Telemacher | |
| Victoria Tennant | ... | Sara McDowel | |
| Richard E. Grant | ... | Roland Mackey | |
| Marilu Henner | ... | Trudi | |
| Sarah Jessica Parker | ... | SanDeE* | |
| Susan Forristal | ... | Ariel | |
| Kevin Pollak | ... | Frank Swan | |
| Sam McMurray | ... | Morris Frost | |
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Mr. Perdue, Maitre D' at L'Idiot | |
| Andrew Amador | ... | Bob, News Anchor | |
| Gail Grate | ... | Gail, News Anchor | |
| Eddie De Harp | ... | Maitre D' at Brunch | |
| M.C. Shan | ... | Rap Waiter at L'Idiot | |
| Frances Fisher | ... | June | |
| Iman | ... | Cynthia |
People Viewing This Page May Also Be Interested In These Sponsored Links (what's this?)
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
95 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Iceland:L | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Australia:MMOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: After running into Sara and Roland in the museum, Harris picks himself up off the floor saying "I get that," but his lips are clearly saying something else. moreQuotes:
Harris: So, I'll see you Sunday?Trudi: I got a shower Sunday.
Harris: Oh yeah, and I really should take a bath... Monday?
more
Soundtrack:
On Your Shore moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for L.A. Story (1991) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| Edward Scissorhands | Sideways | Lost in Translation | Pumpkin | Thank You for Smoking |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |



















When Steve Martin is hot, he's really hot. L.A. Story, written by Steve Martin, is hot. The entire film keeps you in a state of constant chuckling. And, the movie has more than a few moments of comedic genius. It's the cumulative effect of little jokes littered throughout the film, both verbal and visual, that keeps you in stitches. On top of that, it piques your interest.
Here's what I mean: while Martin mercilessly it pokes fun of L.A. for it's flakiness, it's love and tolerance of idiosyncrasies, it's constant preoccupation with image, it's narcissism, the humor is never vulgar, crass, or shallow. For example, one scene takes place in the municipal art museum. We see Harry Telemacher (Steve Martin), with his friends, rapt in admiration for a painting. The camera angle comes from the canvas itself, where we watch Harry, deep in thought, dissertate on the subjects in the portrait, their motives, actions, and hidden agendas. He moves forward, backward, forward again, as if in active dialogue with the lacquer. At last, moving backward, he concludes his remarks by wrinkling his nose in disgust and saying `Look at the way he's holding her: it's almost filthy!' And then the camera moves around to Telemacher's perspective. The painting's a total abstraction. There isn't a distinct line in the entire rectangular frame. In the argot of Postmodernism, one might call it a `readerly' work of art.
It's the perfect metaphor for L.A., where you may interpret anything, any way you like. There's no standard, except one's own `personal reality.' No one can use social norms as a personal club to tell someone else, `You're wrong,' because there is none. It's all `what-E-verrrr.'
Best of all, L.A. Story is a love story, the kind of love that adores someone as much for their faults as for their virtues. Martin's satire is so effective because he loves the city so much.