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Rating:  - A laugh at our Culture
As a Californian, I have to say that I found this movie quite entertaining. I think in the matter of 2 hours you can see almost every stereotype for California played out on the big screen. Funny enough, as exaggerated as they might be, these stereotypes seem so true.
Steve Martin did a great job with this movie. While this movie is a comedy, it really works as a social statement. Even the most unknowingly viewer will probably stand back and think about the movie and the statements it makes. I don't want to give those away, but it makes for a hilarious comedy with real depth. This is comedy like it should be. It isn't slapstick and it isn't stupid.
This is the type of comedy that moves to the top of people's favorites list, and it is worth a watch, even if as a rental.
Rating: - A modern classic...
Steve Martin and Sarah Jessica Parker are wonderful in this treasure. The music by Enya just adds a haunting romantic feel to this movie. DOO WAH DIDDY!
Rating: - Pollo Del Mar
I became entranced by this movie the first time I saw it. My wife and I both love this film on so many levels it's hard to describe. I also have a slight personal connection to this film and Steve Martin. In 1990, during the Gulf War I was stationed at a small airbase in Bahrain when Steve performed as part of the USO tour. He was ghastly ill but still managed to go see the "Tree of Life" in the desert. You'll recall he refers to that during the movie. As an aside it really is amazing, a tree growing in the middle of a desert and has been for several hundred years; but I digress.
It's a cliché, but I think I notice something new every time I watch this movie. I have no idea how long it was before I noticed that the name of the hotel they stayed in was "Pollo Del Mar" or "Chicken of the Sea"!
This is the ultimate love story that even guys will like. Please watch it. You'll thank me.
Rating: - My True Favorite Film
Over the years I've had many discussions about film. I love masterpieces like Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Henry V, Richard III, Lawerance of Arabia, the Seven Samurai, Hiroshima Mon Amor, Bridge on the River Kwai, Gone with the Wind, Rope, Dances with Wolves, Braveheart, Pulp Fiction, Million Dollar Baby, Chaplin's Gold Rush, Horse Feathers, Lion in Winter, American Beauty, Schindler's List, Platoon, Unforgiven, El Mariachi, Godfather, Battleship Potemkin and Doctor Zhivago, but my true favorite film of all time is L.A. Story.
Every line, every scene, every shot and every concept is brilliant. It is not so much a great movie, as a collection of great scenes. But, on a level deeper than judgement, I simply love this movie.
The movie combines dry wit, absurdist situations, comic romance, urban fantasy and honest insights for a completely original film experience. It won no Academy Awards, nor is it likely to appear on any Film Institiute "All Time List," but even though I own four copies of this film (VHS, DVD, DVD 15th Anniversary Edition & iPod), if I come across it on cable I still have to watch. Watching this film has helped me get over setbacks and celebrate good times.
The best way I can explain the subtle brilliance of this movie is to paraphrase it. Let us assume that there is something I could say or do to make you watch this film. Now, let us assume that I have already done it.
Rating: - Great Movie
Big fan of most of the actors in this film: Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant (see also movie All Of Me) Richard E. Grant, Marilu Henner, plus lots of good cameos and a very young Sara Jessica Parker as SanDeE*
Like how the movie seems to both take the plot seriously and still poke fun at itself. Great music, lots of Enya. Highly recommended.
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