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L.A. Story

L.A. Story

Something funny is happening in L.A.

199195 minPG-13Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
Director
Mick Jackson
Starring
Steve Martin, Victoria Tennant, Richard E. Grant, Marilu Henner

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.

Where to watch

Where can I watch L.A. Story?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists L.A. Story to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about L.A. Story?

L.A. Story earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is L.A. Story worth watching?

L.A. Story's Midcredits score is the 72nd percentile of all films, from 56K ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

72nd percentile

Better received than 72% of films

80th percentile among Comedy74th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)72nd
Approval (how many liked it)70th

68 /100

72nd percentile of all films

81st percentile among Comedy76th percentile among 1990s

Critics 66 · Audience 68

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

77th percentile among Comedy71st percentile among 1990s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 91% · Audience 75%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 3 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

90th percentile

56K ratings across platforms

89th percentile among Comedy85th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 3% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$6.6M
Domestic gross$29M
Worldwide gross$29M

86th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A quirky, affectionate satire of Los Angeles life featuring a standout comic turn from Sarah Jessica Parker.

Fans praised

  • Witty, charming script with hilarious visual and verbal gags
  • Sarah Jessica Parker's scene-stealing comic performance as SanDeE*
  • Warm-hearted satirical love letter to Los Angeles

Detractors panned

  • Romantic chemistry between the leads feels flat and uninvolving
  • Dated feel and Steve Martin's style considered old-fashioned
  • Uneven tone and strained comedic pacing

What stands out

Atmosphere85

Evocative, loving, and satirical portrait of Los Angeles as a character itself

Dialogue80

Witty one-liners and clever cultural observations; quotable exchanges

ActingDivisive78

Parker's scene-stealing performance widely praised; Martin charming; some find the leads' chemistry lacking

HumorDivisive76

Mix of visual gags, absurdist touches, and situational comedy; some find Martin's style dated

Characters72

Quirky satirical archetypes like the wacky weatherman and bubble-headed spokesmodel; some find them thinly drawn

Originality70

Unique LA-centric satirical angle on romantic comedy formula

Plot and storyDivisive65

Whimsical romance with a magical freeway sign; some find it unstructured

Pacing55

Brisk moments but inconsistent rhythm; some scenes drag

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 11 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is L.A. Story like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
ContemplativeAbsurdRomantic
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Satirical · 5% of filmsRomantic · 8% of filmsWhimsical · 2% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film affectionately satirizes Los Angeles culture while playing its central romance straightforwardly, creating a blend of ironic mockery and warm sincerity.
The rideThe film maintains a consistent light, reflective, and whimsical register throughout its runtime.
StructureThe story is told in conventional chronological order, following Harris from his discontented life through his pursuit of Sara to their eventual union.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a light, happy impression, with its clever satire and sweet love story providing an enjoyable, entertaining experience.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe film follows a romantic comedy structure: the protagonist pursues a relationship with a woman he meets, facing obstacles from other partners and his own insecurities, all leading to a happy reunion. The surreal talking freeway sign adds a magical element but doesn't change the underlying comedic plot shape.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeHarris seeks meaning and magic in his superficial L.A. life, finding purpose through a new romantic connection.
StanceThe film gently observes Harris's search for meaning without heavy judgment, satirizing L.A. culture but ultimately affirming romance.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanStylized realism
PopJazzSupportive music · original score · Peter Melnick
Setting1990s Los Angeles, the world of a TV weatherman navigating absurdities of the city
MusicLight, breezy score with pop and jazz influences that mirrors the film's playful tone.

Content guide

Is L.A. Story okay for kids?

PG-13

L.A. Story is rated PG-13. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at moderate (48/100), language at moderate (42/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 87%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (25 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does L.A. Story have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in L.A. Story?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Steve Martin
as Harris
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Victoria Tennant
as Sara
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Richard E. Grant
as Roland
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Marilu Henner
as Trudi
Sarah Jessica Parker
as Sandy
newcomer then · star now
Susan Forristal
as Ariel
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kevin Pollak
as Frank Swan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sam McMurray
as Morris Frost
Patrick Stewart
as Maitre D' at L'Idiot
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Andrew Amador
as Male News Reporter
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like L.A. Story?

Movies like L.A. Story include Post Grad (2009), The Bodyguard (1992) and Bowfinger (1999). Of the 12 closest matches, most are whirlwind romances, and half are films set in Los Angeles.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its story type: romantic comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with L.A. Story?

4.7K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: whirlwind romance. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.