Just to be fair, It's probably only a 7 or 8 but it has a lot of nostalgic value for me and almost 30 years later I still love Victoria Tennant. There are an awful lot of the usual Steve Martin antics here, some are hilarious and some make you cringe, but the general tone is somewhat more sophisticated than movies like The Jerk. It has a great cast, fantastic eye candy, outstanding music, a feel good story AND if you can't laugh at the ridiculous L.A. folks, you're probably one of them. This is an excellent movie and I can watch it every 2 or 3 years.

94 % on Rotten Tomatoes? Full four stars from Roger Ebert? What am I missing here? What am I not seeing that makes this such a beloved Los Angeles experience for everyone else? Because, frankly, I thought this to be one of the most boring movies I've ever seen.Where to start. Steve Martin is not funny in this one. I get that they tried to go for a more surreal tone, and to convey his love for the city, instead of just making a straight up slapstick comedy. But I can still see that it was meant to be at least partially comedic. The only problem being that I didn't even smile, not once. Every single joke at the expense of the typical Los Angeles stereotypes I had already seen, numerous times, over and over again. The dialogues were obviously meant to sound forced and shallow in order to make us laugh, but to me they come across only as painful.The story was riddled with clichés, obvious stereotypes, age old situations and just straight corniness. And even the surreal elements didn't make it any less boring, because they didn't connect with anything. A billboard? What is that even meant to represent? Our dependence on advertising? The only saving grace was the fact that Sarah Jessica Parker's character was at least perky and cute to watch. And that's it.Perhaps it's the fact that I've never been to Los Angeles, or even USA, for that matter. Perhaps I'm just incapable of getting it. Nevertheless, this was an awful experience for me and I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone.

'L.A. Story' is a yet another film, that showcases the astounding talent of Steve Martin. The Honorary Oscar-Winner is a delight to watch here & he, singe handedly, leads the film with a performance that's purely enjoyable. 'L.A. Story' Synopsis: With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a "wacky weatherman" tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early-90s Los Angeles.'L.A. Story' is an entertaining fantasy romantic-comedy, that narrates a story informatively. The Screenplay, which is Written by Martin himself, is a lovely mix of romance & situational humor, as well as capturing the true essence of Los Angeles in the early 1990's. A Special Mention for the delightfully real dialogue. Mick Jackson's Direction is appropriate. Cinematography & Editing are excellent.Performance-Wise: Its Martin all the way. He doesn't miss one single beat. An Impeccable Performance! Victoria Tennant is cute. Sarah Jessica Parker is fantastic. Her scenes are full of energy, thanks to her superior act. Richard E. Grant is first-rate. Marilu Henner is equally competent. Among Cameos, Patrick Stewart stands out.On the whole, Watch 'L.A. Story' for its innovative story & Martin's performance.

If one wanted to do a mural for the town you grew up in, the town you experienced life within, the tow you call "home", how would it happen? Would paint and a blank canvass be the conventional and only method? Steve Martin, comedian at large, thinks not. In 1991 he wrote and starred in a Hollywood vehicle that shows his love for that western part of America – specifically the town he resides – Los Angeles. Continuing my quest through LA (which began with "LA Confidential" and continues with "LA Takedown" and "LA Without a Map"), Martin's film was a welcomed trip into the honesty of comedy, the ability to create smart jokes for audiences, and finally, be able to pull emotion from a story which involves a riddled electronic billboard. With characters centered in depth, comedy that sparks from the absurd and transforms into chaotic, and finally that underlying sense of fantasy – Martin proves again (beginning with "Roxanne") that he is more than just a zany comic, but an endearing member of Hollywood with true talent hidden behind the "Pink Panther" façade.Why does "LA Story" work and remain an unsung hero within the era of 90s cinema? This is one of those films that when walking through the video store, or randomly thumbing through the television stations, may just pass you by. It is a subtle box with Steve Martin merely wearing skates in what seems to be a mid-dance pose. It isn't a grabbing photo, but then again, this isn't a grabbing film. This is subtle, smooth, and relaxing – "LA Story" is a film that requires numerous viewings, not because it is a deep story, but because of the scope of what Martin is trying to say. If the phrase "How Daddy is Doing" doesn't mean anything to do, than you need to reexamine this film. Everything fits in this movie. The actors are superb, playing into the world of absurd coupled with common, the acting is direct and whimsical, and the music enhances the experience. This is the perfect film for rainy days, spring afternoons, cold winters, or just about any other moment of life. There are jokes that will make you laugh out loud and others that will make you think. This is a film about falling in love – and it works.As I write this review, I cannot wait to watch this movie again. This is a film I watched in the mid-90s and continue to watch, recommend, buy, and dedicate to friends and family – which is a rarity in today's standards.Grade: ***** out of *****