Watch L.A. Story
- PG-13
- 1991
- 1 hr 35 min
-
6.7 (34,286)
L.A. Story is a romantic comedy film from 1991 that stars Steve Martin as a Los Angeles weatherman named Harris Telemacher. The movie takes a unique perspective on the city of Los Angeles, portraying it as a place where reality is often stranger than fiction. Harris is a quirky character who is constantly searching for meaning in his life, and the city of Los Angeles serves as the perfect backdrop for his adventures.
The film opens with a series of bizarre and comedic scenes, including a group of cars that stop on the freeway to have a picnic and a man who roller skates through a museum. These scenes set the tone for the film, which is whimsical and surreal at times. As the movie progresses, we see Harris struggling with his relationships and his career. He feels unfulfilled in his job as a weatherman and is tired of reporting on the same predictable forecasts day after day.
Harris is also struggling in his love life. He is dating a woman named Trudi (Marilu Henner) who is obsessed with her weight and constantly on a diet. Harris feels that they have little in common and is frustrated by her superficiality. One day, while visiting a restaurant, Harris meets Sara McDowell (Victoria Tennant), an intelligent and quirky woman who catches his attention. Harris is immediately drawn to her, and they begin a flirtatious relationship.
As Harris navigates his love life, he also begins to experience strange and surreal encounters throughout the city. He meets a life coach named V.C. (Patrick Stewart), who gives him nonsensical advice that Harris finds surprisingly helpful. He also encounters an electronic freeway billboard that seems to be communicating with him, giving him cryptic messages about his life.
Through it all, Harris begins to realize that he needs to take control of his life and start making changes. He quits his job as a weatherman and begins to explore new career options. He also decides to pursue a relationship with Sara, who challenges him in ways he never thought possible.
L.A. Story is a funny and charming film that deftly satirizes the culture of Los Angeles while also exploring themes of love, meaning, and personal fulfillment. Steve Martin delivers a great performance as Harris, bringing his trademark wit and humor to the role. Victoria Tennant is also excellent as Sara, and the chemistry between the two actors is palpable.
The movie features a great supporting cast as well, including Richard E. Grant as Harris's eccentric friend, SanDeE (yes, that's her name), and Sarah Jessica Parker as a Valley Girl who becomes obsessed with Harris. The film is filled with hilarious sight gags and absurd moments, but the humor is always grounded in the characters and their relationships.
One of the standout aspects of the movie is its use of Los Angeles as a backdrop. Director Mick Jackson portrays the city as a place that is often strange and surreal, but also beautiful and awe-inspiring. From the iconic Hollywood sign to the breathtaking coastline, the film captures the essence of Los Angeles in a way that is both funny and moving.
Overall, L.A. Story is a fantastic romantic comedy that is sure to delight fans of Steve Martin and anyone who appreciates clever and witty humor. It's a film that is both funny and touching, and it offers a refreshing take on the city of Los Angeles and the search for meaning in our lives.
L.A. Story is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 66.