L.A. Story

L. A. Story is Steve Martin's love letter to his then wife, Victoria Tennant, and to the city of Los Angeles. Sadly, his marriage to Tennant did not endure; they divorced in 1994, three years after the film's release. His love of Los Angeles appears to be alive and well; he lives there to this day. The love of L.A. is the best part of the film. It's a Steve Martin movie so he lampoons it, often quite sharply, but you can feel the love behind it. The love story with Tennant is also sweet, but marred by a lack of visible chemistry between Martin and Tennant. (I don't know what the state of their relationship was at the time, but in any case chemistry doesn't come across on film.) Other notable characters are SanDeE*, a very Californian young woman played by Sarah Jessica Parker in her first notable film role, and Richard Grant as Tennant's ex. There is a funny minor part played by Patrick Stewart, and uncredited cameos by Chevy Chase, Woody Harrelson, Paula Abdul, Martin Lawrence, Rick Moranis, and Terry Jones. A hilarious bit by John Lithgow was filmed but cut for length; you can watch it in the deleted scenes on the disc. Finally, there is a highway sign that is an important character. The music in L.A. Story is mostly classic songs from the 50s and 60s. Three songs by Enya are used as the soundtrack of emotionally evocative scenes, to good effect. L.A. Story is sweet and funny. It's one of my favorite Steve Martin films. Recommended, especially for fans of Martin's films from the 80s and 90s. Now, on to the 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray... The film gets a good high definition transfer. It occasionally looks a bit soft but that appears to be in the original cinematography and may have been an artistic choice. The sound is in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, is available both in 5.1 surround and a stereo downmix, and is also fine; there are no spectacular sound effects in the film. (The theatrical release was in analog Dolby Stereo, but all disc releases have had digital surround sound.) The picture and sound are both an upgrade from the earlier DVD versions. English and Spanish subtitles are available, and appear to be identical to the ones on earlier releases. The Blu-Ray includes a number of extra features. O2BEINLA: Mick Jackson's L.A. Stories is new to this edition; it's an interview with director Mick Jackson where he talks about how he came to be involved in making L.A. Story and the artistic choices he made. Two others, The Story of L.A. Story and The L.A. of L.A. Story, were originally made for the 15th anniversary DVD edition in 2006. The Story of L.A. Story intercuts bits from the featurette on the original DVD edition from the 90s with interviews of some of the cast. The L.A. of L.A. Story visits many of the locations that were used in the film, including the Ambassador Hotel which was used for a number of indoor scenes and was torn down just after the featurette was made. There is also a collection of deleted scenes, including the ones with John Lithgow, and marketing materials including multiple versions of the movie's trailer (some of which contain scenes that were cut from the actual film). Alas, there is no director's commentary track. There never has been. The second release of the DVD in 2001 listed one as an extra, but it contained the same disc as the original 1998 DVD and does not actually contain any commentary. But the new featurette with the director is a pretty good replacement. Fans of the movie are going to want this disc, even if they already have one of the DVD releases. If you haven't seen L.A. Story, watching this disc just might turn you into a fan.

Fun Steve Martin Story. Maybe the first big credit for Sarah Jessica Parker. A lot of classic lines. Great film for my library.

Intended as an homage to Woody Allen and Manhattan, this move is perfect, in spite of Woody's demise. I don't live in LA, did years ago and still think it's a wonderful place. Steve Martin infuses it with wonder, love and humor. One of my favorite films of all time.

First thing; this version doesn't look great, but is still enjoyable. It's a scan of a print, and doesn't hold up as well as some other digital versions which are getting hard to find, and in a way, that contributes to the "filmic" experience. This film came out in 1991, and mostly holds up. If you want to see how the fashion of the 80's wrapped up into the 90's, then you're in for a real treat. It's a good, adult love story, punctuated by absurdity, surrealism and character. All in all, it's one of Martins' best. A sweet and elegant story, full of humor and imagination. It also reminds me the L.A. was the original "Portlandia". L.A. was weird long before the grey streets of Portland started getting flooded with California refugees. Prove me wrong.

THE BEST unknown Steve Martin movie that he EVER made!! I LOVE IT!! LITERALLY, THE BEST THING HE EVER DID!!!

By far one of Steve Martin's greatest works. A funny and poignant story about a weatherman's lackluster attitude towards relationships but his love for L.A. life. Great cast, directing, camera work, locations, and exceptional music which is not available on CD. Music from movie: Epona Written by Enya Performed by Enya Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. / BBC Enterprises Ltd. By Arrangement with Warner Special Products Exile Written by Enya, Roma Ryan and Nicky Ryan Performed by Enya Courtesy of WEA Records Limited / Geffen Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products On Your Shore Written by Enya, Roma Ryan and Nicky Ryan Performed by Enya Courtesy of WEA Records Limited / Geffen Records By Arrangement with Warner Special Products I've Had My Moments Written by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson Performed by Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt Courtesy of Vogue Records By Arrangement with GNP Crescendo Records La Mer Music by Charles Trenet and Albert Lasry Lyrics by Charles Trenet Performed by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli Courtesy of RCA Records, A Division of BMG Music Do Wah Diddy, Diddy Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich Performed by Manfred Mann Courtesy of BMI, A Division of Capitol Records, Inc. By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets La Mer Written by Charles Trenet Performed by Charles Trenet Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc. By Arrangement with CEMA Special Markets You Drive Me To Distraction Written by Chaz Sanford (as Chas Sanford) and Charles A. Judge (as Charles Judge) Performed by Big World Wild Thing Written by Chip Taylor Performed by Seeds of Love featuring Jimmie Wood Produced by Carl Sealove Ain't That A Shame Written by Fats Domino (as Antoine "Fats" Domino) and David Bartholomew (as Dave Bartholomew) Performed by Fats Domino Courtesy of Heritage Entertainment, Inc. By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing Inc. Smoke Rings Written by Ned Washington and H. Eugene Gifford Performed by Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt Courtesy of Vogue Records By Arrangement with GNP Crescendo Records Amazing Grace Arrangement by Fairbairn Performed by The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Courtesy of RCA Records, A Division of BMG Music Clouds Written by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson Symphony No. 5, 1st Movement (uncredited) Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

Great comedy

I'm not sure what the detractors of this film are seeing that they find so distasteful. Perhaps it's that the two romantic leads (Martin/Tennant), are neither young, nor tan. Some people, unfortunately feel that romance is the provence of the young, and that middle-aged people should keep that stuff to themselves. Perhaps they found a romance that didn't involve histrionics at every turn, dull. I, however, found the Martin/Tennant match-up to be quite attractive and believable (they were, after all, married at the time.). I quite enjoyed seeing the courtship dance performed in a more mature manner. Maybe, since they may not be from L.A., they didn't get the jokes, or perhaps they got them all too well, and didn't like being made fun of. I really enjoyed seeing the pomposity and silliness that we all exhibit, on occasion, being skewered. People have become so accustomed to laughing AT others, what with all of the "reality" programming about, and the complete UNreality of the "teen" comedies currently out now (not criticising, they're quite good also - some of them), that they seem to have forgotten how to laugh at themselves. An unfortunate product of today's society is that we sem to take things too seriously, especially if they apply to US. And really, criticising the MUSIC? It's Enya! You may not like her music, but in what possible context could you find it irritating? Just because you don't like a form of music, or film, or art of any kind, or even another race, culture, or religion, does NOT mean that it has no validity. Our opinions are OUR opinions, and we need to stop trying to act as if our opinions, or beliefs, need to be enforced somehow, and that anything we don't like is somehow invalid. Enough pontificating on my part. Overall, I found this film to be great fun, a solid romantic comedy, overlaid with an intelligent humor applied to life in general, and specifically to L.A. It's the first "fairy tale" based in Los Angeles that I know of, and it is well done. My only complaint (along with other reviewers), is the quality of the DVD itself. It really is poorly done. Perhaps some genius at some studio will have the common sense to have this classic "remastered" and presented properly. If you have lost, or are losing your faith in life, love, and romance, watch this film - it will give you hope, and leave you with a good feeling inside - and what's wrong with that?