IMDb >
L.A. Story (1991)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
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 summarysynopsisplot 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 IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Steve Martin (written by)
Release Date:
8 February 1991 (USA)
more
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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Going Google: A New Contender in the Microsoft vs. Apple Advertising Battle
(From Fast Company. 3 August 2009, 6:00 AM, PDT)
"Take Back the Beep" Challenges Cellphone Networks to Play Nice
(From Fast Company. 31 July 2009, 8:00 AM, PDT)
(From Fast Company. 3 August 2009, 6:00 AM, PDT)
"Take Back the Beep" Challenges Cellphone Networks to Play Nice
(From Fast Company. 31 July 2009, 8:00 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Still a Classic Gem Twelve Years Later
more (84 total)
Cast
(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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Harris (Steve Martin) quotes poems that Martin previously quoted in The Man with Two Brains (1983).
more
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.
more
Quotes:
Soundtrack:
I've Had My Moments
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (84 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie 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 | Singin' in the Rain | Sullivan's Travels | Titanic | Sideways |
|
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 |
Okay, I was raised in the LA area, so I appreciate "LA Story" more than many might, but it's still just an incredibly wonderful romantic comedy regardless of where you grew up. The script is fabulous, and the soundtrack featuring the music of Enya is the perfect counterpoint to this wonderfully wicked lampoon of Southern California culture.
The humor is much more intelligent than early Steve Martin features such as "The Jerk", but it isn't snobbish. It has wit, charm, and pure satirical funniness. Whether it's watching Martin roller-skate through a museum of Old Masters, seeing a restaurant full of jaded Californians casually ride out a minor earthquake as their tables gracefully vibrate across the room, or the absurdity of a freeway sign giving out cryptic personal messages that change the course of the principal character's lives, the movie simply works.
Steve Martin is at his best here, equal to his wonderful performance in "Roxanne". Victoria Tennant is the perfect choice as the off-beat, tuba-playing British journalist Martin's character falls for. Sarah Jessica Parker is absolutely priceless as SanDeE* (that's her spelling, not a typo), the young would-be spokesmodel/bimbette who "likes to point". Even Rick Moranis as the comedic Cockney grave digger is wonderful, despite his having one of the least believable accents since Dick van Dyck as the chimneysweep Bert in "Mary Poppins". Forget the comment about Moranis' accent... you'll enjoy him anyway.
Overall, this is one of my two favorite movies of all time, and considering how many I've enjoyed, that's saying volumes.