L.A. Story (1991)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writer (WGA):

Steve Martin (written by)

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Weatherman | Television | Valley Girl | Beverly Hills California | Statue Of Liberty

Cast

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

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:S | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

1206 N. Orange Grove Avenue, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company:

Carolco Pictures

Trivia:

There are numerous references to William Shakespeare: the gravedigger scene is from Hamlet, Telemacher quotes Shakespeare twice, and the storyline contains elements from A Midsummer Night's Dream (with the two confused couples exchanging lovers) and The Tempest (with a magic storm stranding the lovers, the gods (in the form of stone lions) blessing the couple, and a character named Ariel).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As Harris is driving south on the 110 freeway after the "Open Season on the L.A. Freeway scene", you see absolutely no traffic on the northbound side, even though it is mid-day.

Quotes:

Harris: Sitting there at that moment I thought of something else Shakespeare said. He said, "Hey... life is pretty stupid; with lots of hubbub to keep you busy, but really not amounting to much." Of course I'm paraphrasing: "Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Traffic (2000)

Soundtrack:

Exile

Jon Monsarrat review: classic romantic comedy

L.A. Story is a tremendous romantic comedy just a notch below Moulon Rouge or High Fidelity, and similar to Roxanne. There are a lot of in-jokes for Californians, but I found the comedy accessible. The film is really stronger on the romance side, and has something to say about people who are somewhat phony and put up barriers to the world. As with Roxanne there is a little classic literature dropped in. There are quite a few cheesy moments where the lack of sophistication in the characters and plot does show. But there are also powerful, moving scenes, such as linking falling in love to the awe and wonder of childhood, and the airplane scene which brought tears to my eyes. And that's quite something; I almost never cry at the movies!

And of course, I loved the music by Enya! Check it out.

Who should see this film:

-- romantic comedy goers, a must see

-- action film guys like me, it's OK to see it with your SO (but see if you can get her to see Enemy at the Gate, too)

I'll give L.A. Story a surpassed-its-original-expectations 9 out of 10.