L.A. Story
Encyclopedia
L.A. Story is a 1991
American
romantic comedy film
, written
by and starring Steve Martin
. Set in Los Angeles
, California
, it relates a series of episodes in the romantic life of an L.A. TV weatherman
. It includes surreal sequences in which he is offered romantic advice flashed to him by a freeway sign
. The movie blends romantic comedy with elements that both satirize and celebrate L.A. culture. The film was directed
by Mick Jackson
. The soundtrack includes three songs by Enya
, "On Your Shore" and "Exile" (from Watermark) and "Epona" (from Enya
).
living in Los Angeles. He is in a dead-end relationship with his social-climbing, live-in girlfriend Trudi, played by Marilu Henner
, and wants to find some meaning and magic in his life. At a luncheon with a group of friends, he meets Sara, a journalist from London
played by Victoria Tennant
with whom he immediately becomes infatuated. Driving home that night, his car breaks down on the freeway and he pulls over on to the hard shoulder. He comes to realize that a freeway traffic condition sign is displaying messages intended solely for him. The sign offers Harris cryptic advice on his love life throughout the movie. He begins to fall for Sara, but she is conflicted because she has tentatively pledged to reconcile with her ex-husband, Roland, played by Richard E. Grant
. Feeling that a relationship with Sara is unlikely, Harris decides to go out with a ditzy blonde named SanDeE*, a wannabe spokesmodel, played by Sarah Jessica Parker
, whom he meets at a clothing store. After his first date with SanDeE*, Harris discovers that his girlfriend Trudi has been cheating on him for three years with his agent. The discovery leads him to pursue his romantic interest in Sara. This is complicated by his new relationship with SanDeE* and by Sara's feeling of obligation to her ex-husband. By the story's conclusion, he has successfully wooed Sara - with some encouragement and advice from the freeway sign that displays messages just for him.
There are uncredited cameo appearances by Chevy Chase
, Woody Harrelson
, Paula Abdul
, Martin Lawrence
, Rick Moranis
and Terry Jones
. John Lithgow
and Scott Bakula
filmed scenes - respectively as a movie agent and Harris's neighbour - that didn't appear in the final cut (although references to Lithgow's character remain in the freeway shootout and the 'California Cuisine' lunch scenes).
. L.A. Story was voted by a group of Los Angeles Times
writers and editors as the 20th best film set in Los Angeles in the last 25 years - with two criteria: "The movie had to communicate some inherent truth about the L.A. experience, and only one film per director was allowed on the list".
1991 in film
The year 1991 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*April 28 - Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael O'Keefe in New York* Terminator 2: Judgment Day, became one of the landmarks for science fiction action films with its groundbreaking visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic.*November...
American
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
, written
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
by and starring Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
. Set in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, it relates a series of episodes in the romantic life of an L.A. TV weatherman
Weather forecasting
Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia, and formally since the nineteenth century...
. It includes surreal sequences in which he is offered romantic advice flashed to him by a freeway sign
Variable message sign
A variable- message sign, often abbreviated VMS, CMS, or DMS, and in the UK known as a matrix sign,...
. The movie blends romantic comedy with elements that both satirize and celebrate L.A. culture. The film was directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by Mick Jackson
Mick Jackson (film director)
Mick Jackson is a British television and film director, television producer and author. He won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for Temple Grandin .-Selected filmography:...
. The soundtrack includes three songs by Enya
Enya
Enya is an Irish singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. Enya is an approximate transliteration of how Eithne is pronounced in the Donegal dialect of the Irish language, her native tongue.She began her musical career in 1980, when she briefly joined her family band Clannad before leaving to...
, "On Your Shore" and "Exile" (from Watermark) and "Epona" (from Enya
Enya (album)
Enya is a soundtrack album by Irish singer Enya, released in 1987 , accompanying the BBC documentary The Celts.-Background:...
).
Plot
Steve Martin plays Harris K. Telemacher, a TV meteorologistMeteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
living in Los Angeles. He is in a dead-end relationship with his social-climbing, live-in girlfriend Trudi, played by Marilu Henner
Marilu Henner
Mary Lucy Denise "Marilu" Henner is an American actress, producer and author. She is best known for her role as Elaine O'Connor Nardo on the sitcom Taxi from 1978 to 1983.-Early life:...
, and wants to find some meaning and magic in his life. At a luncheon with a group of friends, he meets Sara, a journalist from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
played by Victoria Tennant
Victoria Tennant
Victoria Tennant is an English film and television actress.-Early life:Tennant was born in London, England. Her mother, Irina Baronova, was a Russian prima ballerina who appeared with the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo, and her father, Cecil Tennant, was an English producer and talent agent who ran...
with whom he immediately becomes infatuated. Driving home that night, his car breaks down on the freeway and he pulls over on to the hard shoulder. He comes to realize that a freeway traffic condition sign is displaying messages intended solely for him. The sign offers Harris cryptic advice on his love life throughout the movie. He begins to fall for Sara, but she is conflicted because she has tentatively pledged to reconcile with her ex-husband, Roland, played by Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant is a Swaziland-born British actor, screenwriter and director. His most notable role came in the film Withnail and I. He holds dual British and Swazi citizenship.-Early life:...
. Feeling that a relationship with Sara is unlikely, Harris decides to go out with a ditzy blonde named SanDeE*, a wannabe spokesmodel, played by Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker is an American film, television, and theater actress and producer.She is best known for her leading role as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City , for which she won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards...
, whom he meets at a clothing store. After his first date with SanDeE*, Harris discovers that his girlfriend Trudi has been cheating on him for three years with his agent. The discovery leads him to pursue his romantic interest in Sara. This is complicated by his new relationship with SanDeE* and by Sara's feeling of obligation to her ex-husband. By the story's conclusion, he has successfully wooed Sara - with some encouragement and advice from the freeway sign that displays messages just for him.
Cast
- Steve MartinSteve MartinStephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
- Harris K. Telemacher - Victoria TennantVictoria TennantVictoria Tennant is an English film and television actress.-Early life:Tennant was born in London, England. Her mother, Irina Baronova, was a Russian prima ballerina who appeared with the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo, and her father, Cecil Tennant, was an English producer and talent agent who ran...
- Sara McDowel - Richard E. GrantRichard E. GrantRichard E. Grant is a Swaziland-born British actor, screenwriter and director. His most notable role came in the film Withnail and I. He holds dual British and Swazi citizenship.-Early life:...
- Roland Mackey - Marilu HennerMarilu HennerMary Lucy Denise "Marilu" Henner is an American actress, producer and author. She is best known for her role as Elaine O'Connor Nardo on the sitcom Taxi from 1978 to 1983.-Early life:...
- Trudi - Sarah Jessica ParkerSarah Jessica ParkerSarah Jessica Parker is an American film, television, and theater actress and producer.She is best known for her leading role as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City , for which she won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards...
- SanDeE* - Susan Forristal - Ariel
- Kevin PollakKevin PollakKevin Elliot Pollak is an American actor, impressionist, game show host, and comedian. He started performing stand-up comedy at the age of 10 and touring professionally at the age of 20...
- Frank Swan - Sam McMurraySam McMurraySam McMurray is an American television, film and voice actor.-Early life:McMurray was born in New York City, the son of Jane and Richard McMurray, both actors...
- Morris Frost - Patrick StewartPatrick StewartSir Patrick Hewes Stewart, OBE is an English film, television and stage actor, who has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around half a century...
- Mr. Perdue, maitre d' at L'Idiot - ImanIman (model)Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid , professionally known as Iman , is a Somali-American fashion model, actress and entrepreneur. A pioneer in the field of ethnic cosmetics, she is also noted for her charitable work. She is married to David Bowie.-Early life:Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Iman is the daughter...
- lunch guest
There are uncredited cameo appearances by Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase is an American comedian, writer, and television and film actor, born into a prominent entertainment industry family. Chase worked a plethora of odd jobs before moving into comedy acting with National Lampoon...
, Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson
Woodrow Tracy "Woody" Harrelson is an American actor.Harrelson's breakthrough role came in the television sitcom Cheers as bartender Woody Boyd...
, Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
, Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence
Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
, Rick Moranis
Rick Moranis
Frederick Allan "Rick" Moranis is a Canadian comedian, actor, musician, and a magician. Moranis came to prominence in the late 1970s on the sketch comedy show Second City Television, and later appeared in several Hollywood films including Strange Brew; Ghostbusters; Spaceballs; Little Shop of...
and Terry Jones
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....
. John Lithgow
John Lithgow
John Arthur Lithgow is an American actor, musician, and author. Presently, he is involved with a wide range of media projects, including stage, television, film, and radio...
and Scott Bakula
Scott Bakula
Scott Stewart Bakula is an American actor, known for his role as Sam Beckett in the television series Quantum Leap, for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1991 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. He also had a prominent role as Captain Jonathan...
filmed scenes - respectively as a movie agent and Harris's neighbour - that didn't appear in the final cut (although references to Lithgow's character remain in the freeway shootout and the 'California Cuisine' lunch scenes).
Reaction
It has a 94% rating of top critics on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. L.A. Story was voted by a group of Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
writers and editors as the 20th best film set in Los Angeles in the last 25 years - with two criteria: "The movie had to communicate some inherent truth about the L.A. experience, and only one film per director was allowed on the list".