Movie Background

L.A. Story

A talking freeway billboard aids a quirky weatherman as he pursues the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who struggles to make sense of the surreal world of early-1990s Los Angeles.

Director(s)

Mick Jackson

Pamela Alch

Where to watch

Amazon Video

Amazon Video

Rent

Cast & Crew

Kevin Pollak

Kevin Pollak

Frank Swan

Pamela Alch

Pamela Alch

-

Andrew Amador

Andrew Amador

Bob, News Anchor

Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner

Trudi

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

SanDeE

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart

Mr. Perdue

Richard Stahl

Richard Stahl

Bank Executive

Frances Fisher

Frances Fisher

June

Steve Martin

Steve Martin

Harris K. Telemacher

Time Winters

Time Winters

Floss Waiter at L'Idiot

Tommy Hinkley

Tommy Hinkley

Ted

Robert Picardo

Robert Picardo

Voicephone (voice) (uncredited)

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase

Carlo Christopher (uncredited)

Cheryl Baker

Cheryl Baker

Changing Room Woman

Terry Jones

Terry Jones

Sara's Mother (voice) (uncredited)

Mick Jackson

Mick Jackson

-

Aaron Lustig

Aaron Lustig

Boring Speaker

Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant

Roland Mackey

Rick Moranis

Rick Moranis

Gravedigger (uncredited)

Julianna McCarthy

Julianna McCarthy

Woman

Iman

Iman

Cynthia

Jaime Gomez

Jaime Gomez

Tod PA

Sam McMurray

Sam McMurray

Morris Frost

Eddie De Harp

Eddie De Harp

Maitre D' at Brunch

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson

Harris' Boss (uncredited)

Victoria Tennant

Victoria Tennant

Sara McDowel

Larry Miller

Larry Miller

Tom

Thornton Simmons

Thornton Simmons

Man

Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul

Roller Skater in Front of Tail O' the Pup (uncredited)

May Boss

May Boss

-

George Plimpton

George Plimpton

Straight Weatherman

Wesley Thompson

Wesley Thompson

Jesse

Tina Cote

Tina Cote

Extra (uncredited)

Susan Forristal

Susan Forristal

Ariel

Gail Grate

Gail Grate

Gail

M.C. Shan

M.C. Shan

Rap Waiter at L'Idiot

Anne Crawford

Anne Crawford

Sharon

Samantha McCoy

Samantha McCoy

Sheila

Dennis Dragon

Dennis Dragon

Crook

Pierre Epstein

Pierre Epstein

Chef

David Glyn Price

David Glyn Price

Pilot

Wesley Mann

Wesley Mann

Tony

Mark Steen

Mark Steen

Tod PA

Amy Wallace

Amy Wallace

Tod PA

Scott Johnston

Scott Johnston

Co-Pilot

Robert Lind

Robert Lind

Chainsaw Juggler

Tony Marsico

Tony Marsico

Hard Rock Patron

Burt Nacke

Burt Nacke

Cameraman

Mary Pedersen

Mary Pedersen

Airline Ticket Agent

Matt Stetson

Matt Stetson

Spokesmodel Teacher

Brian Banowetz

Brian Banowetz

Bellman (uncredited)

Sean Michael Beyer

Sean Michael Beyer

Parking Valet (uncredited)

Michael E. Burgess

Michael E. Burgess

Waiter (uncredited)

Larry Echerer

Larry Echerer

Boy in Yard (uncredited)

Cindra Skotzko

Cindra Skotzko

Dressing Room Girl (uncredited)

Terri Wilson

Terri Wilson

Stage Hand (uncredited)

Details

GenresComedy, Fantasy, Romance
Runtime1h 35 mins
Released on08 Feb 1991
Languageen
Produced InUnited States of America
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Reviews

Peter McGinn

7/10

Okay, this is a bit of fluff, really, cinematically speaking. Comparable to a madcap comedy in the old days of cinema, it is witty and funny. I wouldn’t call it great, just good enough so that when I saw a DVD copy at a thrift store, I picked it up. I wouldn’t have thought to buy it new. Steve Martin wrote it, so you have weird little jokes like his character telling a blonde Bimbo girlfriend Sandy that her name is normal and not like a hippy name, and then she spells it S a n capital D, small e, capital E - well, you get the idea. Not Mensa level depth in humor, but harmless fun. The ensemble cast work well together to provide laughs and an interest in what happens to everyone. I could have done without the bed hopping at the hotel somewhere near the middle of the film, but it is what it is. The movie makes for a pleasant watch. After the pandemic, when you feel safe to have friends over, this would be a good one, because you won’t need to sweat not talking over it. People won’t lose the plot. The small element of fantasy with the freeway traffic signs is cute, too. Enjoy.

JPV852

8/10

Quirky and off-kilter romantic-comedy that shines thanks to Steve Martin's unique delivery and some weird humor that involves an omnipresent freeway billboard. Seen this one a few times over the years and still holds up; just an easy-going movie. **3.75/5**

All Trailers

Original vintage trailer
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