L.A. Story

Critics Consensus

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94%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 35

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 18,333
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L.A. Story Photos

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Movie Info

Steve Martin wrote and stars in this look at the promise and dreamtime of Los Angeles culture. Martin stars as Harris K. Telemacher, a light-hearted television weatherman who does wacky comedy in lieu of reports since, being in L.A., he has very little weather to report. He spends his time roller-skating through museums and spending time with California's beautiful people. But Telemacher is fired and discovers that his girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner) is having an affair. He walks away from the relationship and re-evaluates his life, getting advice from a friendly electronic highway road sign. The sign suggests that he call SanDeE (Sarah Jessica Parker), a sprightly and attractive Valley Girl he met in a clothing store. With SanDeE he experiences a liberating and carefree spirit. But Telemacher comes to realize that he has actually fallen in love with Sara (Victoria Tennant), a tuba-playing British journalist who is in California to do a feature on Los Angeles lifestyles.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Mick Jackson
  • Written By:
    Steve Martin
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Live Home Video

Cast

Steve Martin
as Harris K. Telemacher
Victoria Tennant
as Sara McDowel
Richard E. Grant
as Roland Mackey
Marilu Henner
as Trudi
Sarah Jessica Parker
as SanDeE
Susan Forristal
as Ariel
Kevin Pollak
as Frank Swan
Sam McMurray
as Morris Frost
Patrick Stewart
as Maitre D' at L'Idiot
Scott Bakula
Eddie DeHarp
as Maitre D' at Brunch
Frances Fisher
as June
Iman
as Cynthia
Mary Kohnert
Woody Harrelson
as Station Manager
Rick Moranis
as Gravedigger
Chevy Chase
as Carlo Christopher
Mindy Marin
Andrew Amador
as Male News Reporter
Gail Grate
as Female News Reporter
M.C. Shan
as Rap Waiter at l'Idiot
Tommy Hinkley
as Ted
Larry Miller
as Tom
Anne Crawford
as Sharon
Samantha Caulfield
as Sheila
Thornton Simmons
as Man
Dennis Dragon
as Crook
Richard Stahl
as Bank Executive
Aaron Lustig
as Boring Speaker
Anna Crawford
as Sharon
Julianna McCarthy
as Woman
Tim Winters
as Floss Waiter at l'Idiot
Pierre Epstein
as Chef
Wesley Thompson
as Jesse
George Plimpton
as Straight Weatherman
David G. Price
as Pilot
Wesley Mann
as Gas Station Attendant
Mark Steen
as Tod PA
Jaime Gómez
as Tod PA
Amy Wallace
as Tod PA
Cheryl Baker
as Changing Room Woman
May Boss
as Old Woman
Scott Johnston
as Co-Pilot
Robert Lind
as Chainsaw Juggler
Tony Marsico
as Hard Rock Patron
Burt Nacke
as Cameraman
Mary Pederson
as Airline Ticket Agent
Matt Stetson
as Spokesmodel Teacher
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News & Interviews for L.A. Story

"Transformers" Poster & Official Site Launch
Sarah J. Parker Gets to "Spinning" a Stage Play
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Critic Reviews for L.A. Story

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (2)

  • More to the point, L.A. Story is giddy fun.

    Feb 6, 2018 | Full Review…

    David Ansen

    Newsweek
    Top Critic

  • Narratively, this crazy-grid comedy is slighter than a plate of California cuisine, but what it lacks in solid bulk it more than makes up for in its neon array of oddball cultural colors.

    Feb 8, 2017 | Full Review…

    Duane Byrge

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Feb 2, 2009 | Full Review…
    TIME Magazine
    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.

    Sep 2, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • 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...

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    May 20, 2003

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (35)

Audience Reviews for L.A. Story

  • May 19, 2012
    The moments of magic, absurdity, and occasional Shakespeare references are what elevate "L.A. Story" far beyond your typical romantic comedy and into the level of greatness. Martin's screenplay is downright fantastic.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2009
    Pretty funny and heart-warming movie. Has some problems, but overall, it's good.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2009
    this is a very. very funny film. steve martin is fantastic as the wacky weatherman while sarah jessica parker plays a great minor role.
    Thomas B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 08, 2009
    Steve Martin wrote and stars in this look at the promise and dreamtime of Los Angeles culture. Martin stars as Harris K. Telemacher, a light-hearted television weatherman who does wacky comedy in lieu of reports since, being in L.A., he has very little weather to report. He spends his time roller-skating through museums and spending time with California's beautiful people. But Telemacher is fired and discovers that his girlfriend Trudi (Marilu Henner) is having an affair. He walks away from the relationship and re-evaluates his life, getting advice from a friendly electronic highway road sign. The sign suggests that he call SanDeE (Sarah Jessica Parker), a sprightly and attractive Valley Girl he met in a clothing store. With SanDeE he experiences a liberating and carefree spirit. But Telemacher comes to realize that he has actually fallen in love with Sara (Victoria Tennant), a tuba-playing British journalist who is in California to do a feature on Los Angeles lifestyles.
    Martin D Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

L.A. Story Quotes

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