L.A. Story (1991)

So much average

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

LA Story is a great comedy film. Its comedy is of a serious nature and many may not find it enjoyable. Shot in the early 90s the film has a sort of sunny glow that paints the entire Los Angeles city scape. This is a love letter to the city of Los Angeles and there are some very gooey scenes which will make you want to visit the city of angels. Steve Martin during this time was at the top of his game and he is in sublime form here. His real life partner at the time Victoria Tennant is equally good as a new arrival to the city. Sarah Jessica Parker long before her famed stint in NYC is refreshing as the young, perky woman. L.A story is a very good comedy and an ode to Los Angeles.

Steve Martin's paean to his home city is complicated, bizarre, earnest and ridiculous. It is really a series of skits surrounding a few scenes from a romantic movie. Some of the skits are amusing, some dated and some fall flat, but at all times it is clear that while LA is far from perfect Steve Martin has embraced everything about it.Martin is Harris K Telemacher, a "wacky TV weatherman" who pre-tapes his segments days in advance as "it's always sunny in LA".Harris hangs out with a similarly fake crowd of so-called friends and acquaintances, going to fake places where your income and status are badges of honour – and in the case of one restaurant determine whether you are even able to get a reservation.Over a busy couple of days Harris meets two women, a British journalist named Sarah who is honest, charming and genuine, and SanDeE (her spelling not mine) who is fake, superficial… and willing to bonk him.When Harris finds out that his current bitch of a girlfriend is cheating on him he must make a choice – did I mention one of the women is willing to bonk him??? Guess who he ends up with.A young Sarah Jessica Parker plays SanDeE is ditzy, vibrant and energetic, it might… no "IS" the only role I have ever seen her in where she was even vaguely likable, and thanks to some bike pants momentarily hot… That might be L.A. Story's main achievement right there, they should market it: "Sarah Jessica Parker as you've never seen her – sort of hot".Anyway Harris and Sarah keep bumping into each other and their mutual attraction grows, Harris is told by an automated freeway sign that his life will be changed soon (you heard me) and from there the film almost follows a more standard rom-com formula to the conclusion.Richard E. Grant plays Sarah's ex-husband in a far more low key manner than his scenery chewing turn in Hudson Hawk, in between the skits and sightgags Martin proves once again that he can act, I've already mentioned SJP's moment in the sun and there are too many minor cameos and bit parts played by famous people to count.L.A. Story is part love letter, part hate mail to Los Angeles, it covers fashionable lateness, casual crime and shows just how uncaring and unthinking the average citizen of the city can be, but to contrast it seems to suggest that LA has an element of mystery and magic, and that anything can happen there.Like most of Steve Martin's movies I want to like this film more than I actually do, ultimately though this proves an unfocused vanity project, an at times hilarious but mostly just amusing jab at Steve's adopted hometown.Final Rating – 7.5 / 10. The few inspired moments more than cover up for the flat spots and missed jokes, and of course Steve Martin makes anything slightly better just because of his presence.

I didn't know anything about this film's plot or story, but for the leading comedy star, and being rated four stars, I gave it a chance, from director Mick Jackson (The Bodyguard, Volcano). Basically "Wacky Weather" reporter Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin, also writing and producing) is undergoing a mild mid-life crisis and needs to find something meaningful in the insane chaos that is Los Angeles. One night driving on the freeway he pulls over, and a lit-up sign starts talking to him, and it gives him a riddle he must solve to change his life. Soon after Harris meets visiting British journalist Sara McDowel (Victoria Tennant), and it is apparent that they are falling for each other, and the sign could see this coming, and in the end she helps him solve the riddle. Also starring Richard E. Grant as Roland Mackey, Marilu Henner as Trudi, Sarah Jessica Parker as SanDeE*, Susan Forristal as Ariel, A Few Good Men's Kevin Pollak as Frank Swan, Sam McMurray as Morris Frost and Patrick Stewart as Mr. Perdue - Maitre D' at L'Idiot, with cameos by Chevy Chase as Carlo Christopher, Woody Harrelson as Harris' Boss, Terry Jones as Sara's Mother, Rick Moranis as Gravedigger and Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo as Voicephone. I may not have paid full attention at times, but there were some amusing moments that really satirise life in Los Angeles, accompanied with some scripting, a likable romantic comedy. Good!

Has anyone else been reminded of Woody Allen's Manhattan?-- a homage to a city,framed in a very personal way,reflecting the main man's personality. Angst-ridden male lead with all-knowing female leads,reliance on music,male confusion--even art galleries!Comparing the 2,I found 'LA'a slow grower,whereas I was overwhelmed by 'Manhattan'immediately. If you can compare the 2,I think I prefer LA. I can imagine that Steve Martin fans maybe being disappointed by the lack of slapstick & Woody Allen fans being totally dismissive. The failure of 'LA' must have been a major body blow to Steve,as soon after,his marriage to Victoria Tennant failed.