L.A. Story (1991)

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 1990s Los Angeles.

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writer:

Steve Martin

Stars:

Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant

1 nomination.

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 (as Eddie DeHarp)
M.C. Shan	...	Rap Waiter at L'Idiot
Frances Fisher	...	June
Iman	...	Cynthia

Storyline

Harris K. Telemacher is a "wacky weekend weatherman" for a local Los Angeles television station, who is searching for meaning in his otherwise cliché 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.

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Plot Keywords:

television news | weatherman | television | surrealism | slow motion scene | 

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Taglines:

Something funny is happening in L.A.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los Angeles Story

Filming Locations:

Spring Street Towers - 650 S. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,616,915, 10 February 1991, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$28,862,081

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures,IndieProd Company Productions,L.A. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was nominated for the American Film Institute's top 100 funniest movies in American cinema "AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Laughs" list.

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Goofs

Near the end of the film when signposts are shown scattered across the L.A freeways, some signposts are planted right in the center of a road.

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Quotes

Harris: A sign spoke to me, said I was in trouble.
Trudi: If you're talking to signs, you are in trouble.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Alternate Versions

A deleted scene featuring John Lithgow was reinstated in the cable-tv version of the film.

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Connections

References Leave It to Beaver (1957)

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Soundtracks

Wild Thing
Written by Chip Taylor
Performed by Seeds of Love featuring Jimmie Wood
Produced by Carl Sealove

User Reviews

Fascinatingly weird, but ultimately enjoyable

LA STORY is one of those films that leaves you feeling like maybe you shouldn't have enjoyed the movie as much as you did. Looking back on the film, the plot is absolutely preposterous, the characters are entirely one-dimensional and the acting questionable. Yet I don't think there is anyone out there that wouldn't ultimately enjoy this fantasy.

Steve Martin is in top form (maybe the last decent film he did before BOWFINGER), and the wacky charm throughout makes the comedy fresh and exciting. Tremendous cameo support from the likes of Chevy Chase, Rick Moranis and Woody Harrellson add to make LA STORY a fresh comedy with lots of appeal.