L.A. Story (PG-13, 1991)

Harris K. Telemacher (Steve Martin) is a Los Angeles weatherman who’s deeply dissatisfied with his life. He spends the movie charting a new direction, both personally and professionally, against the backdrop of “anything goes” Los Angeles in the early '90s. L.A.’s own flavor of magical realism, in the form of an advice-dispensing freeway sign, guides him through three romantic relationships, from controlling, image-conscious Trudi (Marilu Henner) to frisky, fun SandEe (Sarah Jessica Parker, before Sex and the City), to quirky London journalist Sara (Victoria Tennant, Martin’s real-life wife at the time). Written by Martin, the movie is both a love story and an homage to Los Angeles.

The movie is a sweet and poignant love story, both between Harris and Sara and Steve Martin and Los Angeles. Martin’s deftly written script simultaneously celebrates and pokes fun at a city that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Many jabs are related to its residents’ love affair with cars: Harris drives to his best friend’s house, though it’s just two doors down, and his shortcut to work involves barreling through backyards and down staircases (what Angeleno doesn’t have a secret detour to dodge traffic?). And the film’s voice of wisdom, who helps Harris change his life? A freeway sign.

While kids will find Martin’s oddball antics entertaining, some of the inside jokes about L.A. seem a bit dated; for example, there’s a scene ridiculing people with “car phones” (remember those?). But kids who’ve spent any time in Los Angeles (or whose parents have) will get the joke when characters flock to a hot new restaurant, L’Idiot, and clamor for miniscule portions and abusive service.