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L.A. Story

L.A. Story

  • Status: Released
  • 08-02-1991
  • Runtime: 95 min
  • Score: 6.5
  • Vote count: 340

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.

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

Andrew Amador

Bob, News Anchor

Gail Grate

Gail

Eddie De Harp

Maitre D' at Brunch

M.C. Shan

Rap Waiter at L'Idiot

Frances Fisher

June

Iman

Cynthia

Tommy Hinkley

Ted

Larry Miller

Tom

Anne Crawford

Sharon

Samantha McCoy

Sheila

Thornton Simmons

Man

Dennis Dragon

Crook

Richard Stahl

Bank Executive

Aaron Lustig

Boring Speaker

Julianna McCarthy

Woman

Time Winters

Floss Waiter at L'Idiot

Pierre Epstein

Chef

Wesley Thompson

Jesse

George Plimpton

Straight Weatherman

David Glyn Price

Pilot

Wesley Mann

Tony

Mark Steen

Tod PA

Jaime Gomez

Tod PA

Amy Wallace

Tod PA

Cheryl Baker

Changing Room Woman

May Boss

Old Woman

Scott Johnston

Co-Pilot

Robert Lind

Chainsaw Juggler

Tony Marsico

Hard Rock Patron

Burt Nacke

Cameraman

Mary Pedersen

Airline Ticket Agent

Matt Stetson

Spokesmodel Teacher

Paula Abdul

Roller Skater in Front of Tail O' the Pup (uncredited)

Brian Banowetz

Bellman (uncredited)

Sean Michael Beyer

Parking Valet (uncredited)

Michael E. Burgess

Waiter (uncredited)

Chevy Chase

Carlo Christopher (uncredited)

Tina Cote

Extra (uncredited)

Larry Echerer

Boy in Yard (uncredited)

Woody Harrelson

Harris' Boss (uncredited)

Terry Jones

Sara's Mother (voice) (uncredited)

Rick Moranis

Gravedigger (uncredited)

Robert Picardo

Voicephone (voice) (uncredited)

Cindra Skotzko

Dressing Room Girl (uncredited)

Terri Wilson

Stage Hand (uncredited)

Peter McGinn

Okay, this is a bit of fluff, really, cinematically speaking. Comparable to a madcap comedy in the old days of cinema, it is witty and funny. I wouldn’t call it great, just good enough so that when I saw a DVD copy at a thrift store, I picked it up. I wouldn’t have thought to buy it new. Steve Martin wrote it, so you have weird little jokes like his character telling a blonde Bimbo girlfriend Sandy that her name is normal and not like a hippy name, and then she spells it S a n capital D, small e, capital E - well, you get the idea. Not Mensa level depth in humor, but harmless fun. The ensemble cast work well together to provide laughs and an interest in what happens to everyone. I could have done without the bed hopping at the hotel somewhere near the middle of the film, but it is what it is. The movie makes for a pleasant watch. After the pandemic, when you feel safe to have friends over, this would be a good one, because you won’t need to sweat not talking over it. People won’t lose the plot. The small element of fantasy with the freeway traffic signs is cute, too. Enjoy.

JPV852

Quirky and off-kilter romantic-comedy that shines thanks to Steve Martin's unique delivery and some weird humor that involves an omnipresent freeway billboard. Seen this one a few times over the years and still holds up; just an easy-going movie. **3.75/5**