L A Story *** (1991, Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E Grant ) – Classic Movie Review 6898

Director Mick Jackson’s funny and charming 1991 movie finds Steve Martin in romantic comedy mood with a sweet love poem to Los Angeles and his then British wife Victoria Tennant. He must have got it bad – he’s talking to road signs now! – though to be fair they’re talking back. Cue Manfred Mann’s Do Wah Diddy, Diddy.

Martin plays Harris K Telemacher, a wacky Los Angeles TV weatherman, married to annoying Trudi (Marilu Henner), and has lost meaning in his clichéd life. But he finds love and redemption with London journalist Sara McDowel (Tennant), sent to LA to research an article for The Times.

Some of the jokes are excellent, the mushy bits are charming, LA looks great in Technicolor and the star couple look like people enjoying their good fortune. Martin hasn’t got Woody Allen’s bite yet, but he’s better on rollerskates.

Steve Martin in L A Story (1991).

Also in the cast are Richard E Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Forristal, Kevin Pollak, Patrick Stewart, Sam McMurray, Andrew Amador, Gail Grate, Eddie De Harp, M C Shan, Frances Fisher, Iman, Tommy Hinkley, Larry Miller, and Samantha Caulfield. There are also uncredited cameo appearances by Chevy Chase, Woody Harrelson, Paula Abdul, Martin Lawrence, Rick Moranis.

L A Story is directed by Mick Jackson, runs 95 minutes, is produced by Carolco Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions, and L.A. Films, is released by Guild and Tristar, is written by Steve Martin, is shot in Technicolor by Andrew Dunn, is produced by Mario Kassar, Steve Martin, Daniel Melnick, and Michael I Rachmil, is scored by Peter Melnick, and is designed by Lawrence Miller.

The soundtrack includes three songs by Enya, ‘On Your Shore’ and ‘Exile’ (both from the album Watermark) and ‘Epona’ (from the album Enya).

It was a hit, grossing $28.9 million.

It is the second of two movies Steve Martin and Victoria Tennant made together, following All of Me (1984). They were married from 20 November 1986 until their divorce in 1994.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6898

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Richard E. Grant, Victoria Tennant, Steve Martin and Sarah Jessica Parker in L.A Story (1991).