Rating: 
Summary: Classic Steve Martin
Review: If you enjoy Steve Martin's dry wit then this is the perfect movie for you. Martin pokes fun at the self-absorbed lifestyle of the LA elite. Nothing is safe from cell phones, commuting, name a Los Angeles stereo-type and Steve exploits it. It's also interesting how Steve reveals a bit of his own trepidations about aging and trying to keep up in a world that has "gone-crazy" for style over substance. Buy it, Rent it, watch it then show it to a friend. Then watch it again and you'll see something you missed. Sarah Jessica Parker is also fabulous as the young carefree fling for Steve's character, the way she bounces around is just so....LA. Hug a traffic sign today. Note: this is the first time I've seen anyone go on a date for an enema. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: L.A. STORY is Steve Martin's masterpiece
Review: It's always a delight to follow a movie comic who really knows what he's doing, because eventually you hit the jackpot. With Woody Allen, it was HANNAH AND HER SISTERS; with co-exec-producer/writer/star Steve Martin, it's L.A. STORY. Rarely does any movie, much less a comedy, keep me bolted upright in my seat in anticipation of what might happen next. But from its schizoid opening ballet to its sweetly happy ending, even when I wasn't laughing, I was enchanted.Martin plays Harris K. Telemacher, a Los Angeles TV weatherman who's unsatisfied with his superficial lifestyle. He woos and beds some women whom most men would probably be thrilled to have (Marilu Henner, "Sex and the City's" Sarah Jessica Parker), but he is unsatisfied until he meets a British journalist (Martin's then-wife Victoria Tennant) whose very unpretentiousness is enough to knock him off his feet. This is obviously Steve Martin's attempt to be another Woody Allen--there's the Annie Hall-like quirky romance, the use of jazz great Django Reinhardt on the soundtrack (he also uses Enya, which was my introduction to this beautiful vocalist), and he romanticizes L.A. the way Allen does The Big Apple. Funny thing is, it all works. Even if you're as anti-L.A. as Manhattanite Allen is, it's an L.A. crafted in Steve Martin's mind, anyway--and what an original landscape it is. It even goes Allen one step better. One scene Allen filmed and then deleted from ANNIE HALL featured the rolling news marquee in Times Square telling him to return to Annie in L.A. I have no idea whether Martin ever heard about this or not, but in L.A. STORY, he gets romantic advice from a highway traffic sign. The concept sounds hopeless (as Allen obviously decided it was), but Telemacher is so disbelieving about the concept that its comedy comes across. After all, everything else offbeat happens in L.A.; why not this? There are few comedies that meld so perfectly. One is tempted to credit its lush visuals and on-the-button pacing to director Mick Jackson, except that Jackson has done little before or since that is this striking (THE BODYGUARD was a big hit, but I can't say it stands out in my mind). It's obviously Martin's comic vision all the way, and it's pure delight. Martin's physicality and wit are on grand display here. And though Victoria Tennant, like Jackson, has done little else in her career that's this good, Martin certainly makes us see just what he saw in her. When they finally come together, it feels deserved and not at all forced. In an era where gastric wheezing and room-temperature mentalities substitute for wit, it's refreshing to see a comedy that actually creates its own special world. For me, L.A. STORY ranks right up there with Preston Sturges's screwball comedies--a one-of-a-kind take on the world's craziness and the love that helps us endure it. L.A. STORY is rated PG-13 for sexual situations and strong language.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Martin's Worst...
Review: Having recently been certified as a qualified Steve Martin Critic under the auspices of the ASPG (American Society for the Prevention of Gout), I feel that I must impart what knowledge I have about "L.A. Story" so that the world will be a better place. "L.A. Story" bombed at the box office after word of mouth killed it. In looking at the overall effort, it's not difficult to see why. "L.A. Story" is, in effect, a vanity effort, something that was manufactured for film critics and industry insiders. After films like "The Jerk", "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid", and "The Man with Two Brains", Martin probably felt that it was time to move on to films that would appeal to a more mature, demographically correct audience. The only problem is, "L.A. Story" is an effort that over reaches. As celeberal humor, it's too predictable. The sight gags and dialogue exchanges really don't work as humor, because the story itself plods along in a rather formulaic and mechanical manner. "L.A. Story" is a film that will appeal mainly to members of the International Steve Martin fan club or certain Hollywood mutual admiration societies. If you want to see a good Steve Martin Film, watch anything else but "L.A. Story". Incidentally, as of this writing, used VHS copies of "L.A. Story' are selling for $1.10 on Amazon...
Rating:
Summary: Literate Love
Review: Let's get this right out in the open. This is a love story. It is nothing more, and it does not need to be. It's context is a combination of philosophical literature and Los Angeles references, which makes for a dynamic range of comedic styles; testicle humor to Shakespearean parody. The sound track adds some magic and lends a weight to a story that is nothing new to the movie business. Yet it is the combination of elements that makes this movie a favorite of mine. Cinematically, it is clean and surreal. I have read reviews that have called this movie Martin's masterpiece, and in the genre of romantic comedy, I agree. It is my favorite romantic comedy, and know that as a general rule, I hate romantic comedies. And yes, I still say this is a five star movie, definitely on my top 100 list as a Steve Martin fan and critical reviewer. If you are looking for the "wild and crazy guy", look to The Jerk or his old stand up albums. If you want an intelligent love story in a unique backdrop, get this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A whimsical romantic comedy sniping at L.A. follies
Review: A sweet peaen from Steve Martin to his then wife, Victoria Tennant, this is a whimsical look at two people falling in love in a town where everything is surface, surface, surface. You have to suspend your disbelief, because the true hero here is a blithe benevolent spirit living in an LA expressway traffic sign. But Steve Martin gives an affecting performance as both the callous TV weatherman/anchorman and as the star-crossed lover. Bravura performance by Sara Jessica Parker as a free spirit attracted to Martin. She's as open as he is tight, as free as he isn't, and she never stops moving. P.S. - It's a great date movie.
Rating:
Summary: *Scratches head* Why did this do bad at the box office?
Review: Actually I can probably answer my own question: because everyone went to see this movie expecting The Jerk and got Woddy Allen. This is not a bad thing, in fact this is (in my opinion) Steve Martin's finest achievement, a brilliantly written, witty, well-rounded romantic comedy that is definately a "cult-favorite". I hate most romantic comedies, detest them because they use stupid plots designed only to drive the characters together. This movie builds a world of comedy around Steve Martin's character, then gently and subtly introduces the romance in a very artistically delightful bit of filming, with a dreamy Enya soundtrack in the background (back when she was at her best). How can you not laugh when Steve Martin is on the freeway and, to his horror, hears it's the first day of spring and consequently "open season on the LA freeway", to which he immediately takes out his gun and starts firing blindly at the old granny in the car next to his, who fires back. Or all the great cameos like Rick Morrannis, Patrick Stewart, Chevy Chase, and even Terry Jones. If you're a fan of Steve Martin's more subtle wit instead of his goofy antics (read his book Pure Drivel for similar subtle humor), you will love this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius
Review: I have to admit, I'm not too keen on Steve Martin's newest (especially family-fare) movies, but can put L.A.Story up there in my top 5 movies of all time. Martin is a comedic genius and I get very excited to see him on Saturday Night Live, or in a movie such as this where he is truly in his element. I have owned this DVD for a few years and have put many miles on it, but long for artisan to release an updated version. Perhaps it is not on the top of the list for the studio or Martin (especially since it stars his ex-wife), but true L.A.Story fans hear me out and respond if you remember this: Throughout the film there are references to "Harry Zell" (a Hollywood player)- more than I can count on one hand, actually. If you are paying attention, you keep expecting to see a scene with Mr.Zell but alas, it ended up on the cutting floor. I can vividly remember the first time L.A.Story debuted on Showtime in 1993 or so and surprise! the debut was hosted by the talented and hilarious John Lithgow- one Mr.Harry Zell. He introduced the movie and with a tear in his eye, showed his scene at the end of the movie. I'd love the film to be completed with this scene inserted in the appropriate spot- or at least included as a deleted scene. All in all the movie is just about perfect, and people should get the Cliff's Notes to "A Mid-Summer Nights Dream" if they can't understand it.
Rating:
Summary: What an Embarassing Mess
Review: Even rubbery-faced Steve Martin can't resurrect this leaky vessel of a film. The storyline is paper-thin, the acting is an abomination, and the humor never shows up. It's at least encouraging to note that when this film was first released, it bombed at the box office, because word-of-mouth killed it. Even taking into consideration the Shakespearean parallel, this film is like a sick animal that refuses to die.
Rating:
Summary: I'll have a half double-decaf half-cap
Review: This is Steve Martin's valentine to then wife Victoria Tennant. Didn't work I guess - the marriage broke up a few years later. Like other reviewers, I could never get my arms around the Martin/Tennant pairing, either in the movie or imagining their existence off the screen. Martin's eye and writing are as clever as ever here though. The 'group espresso' scene (how else to describe it?) is a classic that elicits knowing smiles 13 years after the movie's release. It runs something like this around a circular table of eight: "I'll have a decaf coffee."
"I'll have a decaf espresso."
"Do you have any decaffeinated coffee ice cream?"
"I'll have a half double-decaf half-cap - with a twist of lemon."
"I'll have a twist of lemon."
"I'll have a twist of lemon." Etc. It's a perfect take on the LA scene, circa 1991. What's funny is how with Starbuck's culture, the scene seems *less* absurd each year. Two other things this movie has going for it: - The great Enya-based soundtrack (lifted from 'Watermark,' her masterpiece) - A breakout performance from a young, effervescent (and then some) Sarah Jessica Parker as perpetual motion machine (and budding 'TV presenter') Sandy...spelled 'SanDeE*' (another great writing touch added by Martin). It's tough to put this into context now, given the ubiquity of 'Sex and the City,' but back then SJP was just another actress trying to breakout of the teen star thing (best known at that point for her lead in TV's 'Square Pegs'). Martin encouraged Parker to let it all hang out as SanDeE*. Read any in-depth piece about SJP, and she'll mention that 'L.A. Story' was the seminal moment of her career - she's always thoughtful enough to mention her gratitude to Martin for letting her absolutely steal every scene she's in.
Rating:
Summary: No! Nooooo! Please not!
Review: Help! This Film hurt brain!
No good no good! Go Back!
L.A. Story DVD ~ Steve Martin is terrible thing. Bad acting all ruin everything. To much not funny, no substance. Bad writing. Mediocre idea for story, all make awful mess. Saw once and ruined brain. This not Los Angeles Story, it Loser ***hole Story!!!! Not make sense! Help!
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