You won't be disappointed!

Simply A Masterpiece

Perfect cast and a good story

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

'L.A. Story' is a yet another film, that showcases the astounding talent of Steve Martin. The Honorary Oscar-Winner is a delight to watch here & he, singe handedly, leads the film with a performance that's purely enjoyable. 'L.A. Story' Synopsis: 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.'L.A. Story' is an entertaining fantasy romantic-comedy, that narrates a story informatively. The Screenplay, which is Written by Martin himself, is a lovely mix of romance & situational humor, as well as capturing the true essence of Los Angeles in the early 1990's. A Special Mention for the delightfully real dialogue. Mick Jackson's Direction is appropriate. Cinematography & Editing are excellent.Performance-Wise: Its Martin all the way. He doesn't miss one single beat. An Impeccable Performance! Victoria Tennant is cute. Sarah Jessica Parker is fantastic. Her scenes are full of energy, thanks to her superior act. Richard E. Grant is first-rate. Marilu Henner is equally competent. Among Cameos, Patrick Stewart stands out.On the whole, Watch 'L.A. Story' for its innovative story & Martin's performance.

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.

If one wanted to do a mural for the town you grew up in, the town you experienced life within, the tow you call "home", how would it happen? Would paint and a blank canvass be the conventional and only method? Steve Martin, comedian at large, thinks not. In 1991 he wrote and starred in a Hollywood vehicle that shows his love for that western part of America – specifically the town he resides – Los Angeles. Continuing my quest through LA (which began with "LA Confidential" and continues with "LA Takedown" and "LA Without a Map"), Martin's film was a welcomed trip into the honesty of comedy, the ability to create smart jokes for audiences, and finally, be able to pull emotion from a story which involves a riddled electronic billboard. With characters centered in depth, comedy that sparks from the absurd and transforms into chaotic, and finally that underlying sense of fantasy – Martin proves again (beginning with "Roxanne") that he is more than just a zany comic, but an endearing member of Hollywood with true talent hidden behind the "Pink Panther" façade.Why does "LA Story" work and remain an unsung hero within the era of 90s cinema? This is one of those films that when walking through the video store, or randomly thumbing through the television stations, may just pass you by. It is a subtle box with Steve Martin merely wearing skates in what seems to be a mid-dance pose. It isn't a grabbing photo, but then again, this isn't a grabbing film. This is subtle, smooth, and relaxing – "LA Story" is a film that requires numerous viewings, not because it is a deep story, but because of the scope of what Martin is trying to say. If the phrase "How Daddy is Doing" doesn't mean anything to do, than you need to reexamine this film. Everything fits in this movie. The actors are superb, playing into the world of absurd coupled with common, the acting is direct and whimsical, and the music enhances the experience. This is the perfect film for rainy days, spring afternoons, cold winters, or just about any other moment of life. There are jokes that will make you laugh out loud and others that will make you think. This is a film about falling in love – and it works.As I write this review, I cannot wait to watch this movie again. This is a film I watched in the mid-90s and continue to watch, recommend, buy, and dedicate to friends and family – which is a rarity in today's standards.Grade: ***** out of *****

LA Story was one of the rare films Steve Martin wrote a screenplay for. Something he should do more often. His writing style is often fresh and engaging. Its unfortunate that he spends all his time nowadays churning out mediocre stuff in front of the camera, when his work on the printed page really crackles with wit. Look no further than the underrated Shopgirl. Martin's best film in ages, and all because he was acting from a script he wrote.LA Story is quite possibly the one worthy film of Steve Martin's in the 1990s, because right after, he started the gradual decline of his career. Unchallenging, soft-headed fluff that were a waste of Martin's talents. Beginning with the trite and terrible Father of the Bride. And it only got worse from there.But LA Story had Steve Martin at the pinnacle of his powers. It is to Los Angeles what Woody Allen's Manhattan was to New York. LA Story is a film bound to sharply divide people. If you can swallow the film's pill (and its a pretty big pill I'll admit), you'll find much to enjoy. If you can't, LA Story will most likely leave you cold. Look no further than Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel's opposite sides of the spectrum regarding this film.Martin plays wacky weatherman Harris K. Telemacher. Harris takes the daily grindings of LA life in his stride. He's come to expect the random muggings, the snooty restaurants and the dull as dishwater art museums that are all part of the wonderful world of Los Angeles. But he couldn't possibly have expected help in his lovelife from an electronic road sign. Before long, Harris is caught between two women in his life, the free spirited SanDeE* (Sarah Jessica Parker, brilliant!) and the prim English rose, Sara (Victoria Tennant).The success of LA Story rides upon how much you're willing to give in to the film's conceit. After all the very idea of a freeway sign being a possible oracle of the ages is bound to raise more than a few eyebrows. But I put disbelief aside, and was swept away by the film's dazzling turns and delightful wit. As I said before, Steve Martin's skills as a writer have often been undervalued, and his rich and accessible screenplay makes LA Story an astonishing, powerful ode to the city of Los Angeles.Steve Martin's feelings about the city can often seem ambivalent. On the one hand he doesn't resist the temptation to satirise LA's shallow, superficial side (who wouldn't?!). But on the other, buried within the film's jokes and opinions, there does seem a gentle affection for the city. Perhaps even an admiration. The different people we meet all seem to ennoble a particular facet. To the point that the city of Los Angeles almost takes on a life of its own and becomes a character in of itself.Steve Martin's trademark manic energy is relatively restrained here (barring his hilarious weather forecasts, always wrong), but his enthusiasm for the role shines just as bright as LA itself! He never misses an opportunity to make a glib quip about LA. There are really too many to mention, but none of them feel unwelcome. And he's supported himself with a fine cast.In a brief but very memorable role, Marilu Henner plays Harris' vain, upwardly mobile girlfriend Trudie. A woman that embodies everything wrong with LA. Even when stuck in traffic, she's more concerned with outward appearance. Her relationship with Harris is hilarious, and when he learns she's been cheating on him for three years, his response is priceless ("this has been going on since the 80s!").The scene stealer of the whole film is Sarah Jessica Parker. What a wonderful performance! Although she plays the role of a typical ditzy, LA valley girl, she brings so much energy and enthusiasm she walks away with the entire movie. Never has SJP had such fun in a film. Clearly enjoying herself immensely, she hops, skips and cartwheels her way from one end of the screen to the next. If she stood still for more then ten seconds she would probably explode! The crux of the film is the blossoming love between Harris and Sara, but I was secretly hoping he would wind up with SanDeE*!But no. That could never be. Victoria Tennant is Steve Martin's true love (ironically three years before they divorced). I'm not convinced Tennant is all that much of an actress, but her straight-faced style of acting is appropriate when confronted with the outlandish city streets of LA. She's as baffled by its wackiness as Harris is.And things don't get much wackier than the ending, where it seems LA itself steps in to play matchmaker between Harris and Sara. Its an ending of such cosmic proportions it will either leave you completely awed or cursing the heavens. I chose the former. The ending could seem ridiculous, but not when you take the rest of the film into account beforehand. The emotional climax is earned the way it pieces it together from lots of different elements scattered throughout the film. But that's something you couldn't possibly know until you've seen the film a few dozen times.LA Story is a true classic. Mick Jackson's direction is so whimsical and lush, every frame bursts out with a joy and exuberance not often found in Hollywood entertainment. I felt flattened by the film's finale, helped no end by the exhilarating Exile, sung hauntingly by Enya. It all adds up to a rather delectable confection. They say Los Angeles is the City of Angels. I think of it more as a City of Dreamers. And LA Story shows how the dreams of the few can sometimes come true.