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Movies / On DVD / L.A. Story
L.A. Story

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L.A. Story (1991)

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94 %
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Reviews Counted: 31

Fresh: 29

Rotten:2

Average Rating: 7.4/10

Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: A wacky TV weatherman loses his job after taking off yet another weekend -- after all, he figures, L.A. weather never changes, does it? And his personal life is a mess too, because his relationship... A wacky TV weatherman loses his job after taking off yet another weekend -- after all, he figures, L.A. weather never changes, does it? And his personal life is a mess too, because his relationship with his long-time girlfriend has gone kaput. Everything looks pretty dismal, when he unexpectedly meets a British journalist on assignment in L.A. and falls instantly in love. He fears he has no chance with her, though, and in desperation he starts a relationship with a ditzy young shopgirl who introduces him to the wonders of rollerskating and colonics. All the while he pines away for the journalist. Then, while driving down the L.A. freeways, he suddenly realizes that one of the highway signs is trying to communicate with him. He stops to read the messages, takes a risk, and trusts in them to save his life. [More]

Starring: Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker

Starring: Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marilu Henner, Patrick Stewart, Kevin Pollak, Sam McMurray, Frances Fisher, Iman, Tommy Hinkley, Larry Miller

Director: Mick Jackson

Director: Mick Jackson
Composer: Peter Melnick
Screenwriter: Steve Martin
Producer: Daniel Melnick, Michael Rachmil

[See More Credits]

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Release:

May 19, 1998

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for L.A. Story

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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This is a very personal Martin project -- the sweet-souled, nonstop-funny testament of a native Angeleno. Sly and soulful, it's the comedy that dares to be dippy.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
02/02/09
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Unlike Woody Allen's New York City, which becomes a staging area for character angst and transformation, Martin's L.A. stifles the characters, and neither they, screenwriter Martin or director Jackson seem to be aware of it.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
02/02/09
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A rather slight film, but there is enough charm and wit to make it a pleasant diversion.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
02/02/09
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Goofy and sweet, L.A. Story constitutes Steve Martin's satiric valentine to his hometown and a pretty funny comedy in the bargain.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/02/08
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
03/08/08
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

It's witty, irreverent and entertaining, this love story penned by Steve Martin, in which LA is a tangible character.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
05/05/07
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Perhaps Steve Martin's hair went white because his brain radiates with such boundless invention that all the pigment withered off the follicles.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
02/10/06
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Steve Martin's script, a delightfully scatty account of life in the city of angels, exposes romance lurking beyond the snobbish restaurants and routine muggings...

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

If nothing else, it will remind you how funny Martin used to be.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/22/05
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/07/05
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

comment Comment
03/06/05
Jordan Hiller
Bangitout.com

enjoyable silly

comment Comment
02/07/05
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

No review available.

comment Comment
08/26/04
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

No review available.

comment Comment
07/16/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Like Mr. Martin himself, L.A. Story seems basically decent, intelligent and sweet. It's a fanciful romantic comedy whose wildest and craziest notion is that Los Angeles, for all of its eccentricities, is a great place to live.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A minor classic in the grand tradition of Woody Allen and is one of the best films Steve Martin has ever done.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
03/23/03
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

A wonderfully sweet romance with a touch of romance and not a trace of cheese.

comment Comment
02/09/03
Widgett Walls
Needcoffee.com

Steve Martin's ode to la-la land is funny, endearing, and too close to reality for comfort.

comment Comment
01/22/03
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

No review available.

comment Comment
01/02/03
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page
 
 
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July 12, 2005: Sarah J. Parker Gets to "Spinning" a Stage Play
Rebecca Gilman's "Spinning Into Butter" will make the leap from stage to screen, thanks to some help from producer / leading lady Sarah Jessica Parker ("L.A.... More...

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