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L.A. Story (1991)

6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 20,192 users   Metascore: 65/100
Reviews: 91 user | 42 critic | 10 from Metacritic.com

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.

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Title: L.A. Story (1991)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Susan Forristal ...
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Mr. Perdue, Maitre D' at L'Idiot
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Bob, News Anchor
Gail Grate ...
Gail, News Anchor
Eddie De Harp ...
Maitre D' at Brunch (as Eddie DeHarp)
M.C. Shan ...
Rap Waiter at L'Idiot
...
June
...
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Storyline

Harris K Telemacher is a 'wacky weekend weatherman' for a local Los Angeles television station who is searching for meaning in his otherwise cliche ridden Los Angeles life. With the help of an insightful and talkative Freeway sign, Harris embarks on a journey through Los Angeles in pursuit of Sarah, an English reporter who has been sent to the City of Angels to research an article for the London Times. Written by TheMovieHippo

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Something funny is happening in L.A.


Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Los Angeles Story  »

Box Office

Gross:

$28,862,081 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the very first draft of the script it was revealed that the signs could interact with people because an alien disguised as a repair man tampered with it. The role of the alien was written with Jon Pertwee in mind, he couldn't accept it due to failing health. The script was quickly re-written and the alien was written out. See more »

Goofs

As Sarah tells Harris of her weekend plans with her ex-husband, her hands change position on the car door between shots. See more »

Quotes

Mr. Perdue, Maitre D' at L'Idiot: You think with a financial statement like this you can have the duck?
See more »

Crazy Credits

Just before the credits begin, the freeway sign flashes the message, "WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT" See more »

Connections

References La Dolce Vita (1960) See more »

Soundtracks

"La Mer"
Written by Charles Trenet
Performed by Django Reinhardt and The Quintette of the Hot Club of France with Stéphane Grappelli
Courtesy of RCA Records, A Division of BMG Music
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Still a Classic Gem Twelve Years Later
24 November 2003 | by (Pacific Northwest, USA) – See all my reviews

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.


28 of 30 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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Sarah Jessica Parker... the only time she was hot... sparky9292
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