MovieChat Forums > L.A. Story (1991) Discussion > Did anyone else not like this movie?

Did anyone else not like this movie?

posted 18 years ago by janelikesjoe
5 replies | jump to latest

Now, I know a lot of you LOOOVE this movie, so don't start getting mad and yelling at me that I didn't like it. I respect your opinions. I'm just wondering who else didn't like the movie, and why. AND why do some of you DO like it. For my part, it seemed so... I don't know, unrealistic (and no, I'm not talking about all the supernatural things that occured here), and just kind of like a goofy random ball of yarn that's just spinning pointlessly around. I know that sounds harsh, and I'm not saying this to insult the movie; that is just the best way to describe my sincere impression of it. And I don't really understand what the creators were trying to get across. That "miracles" do happen? That L.A. is one crazy city but that there are intelligent, sensitive people there? That one can find love/romance in L.A.? That one must "let your mind go and the body will follow?" These are all good "truths," ofcourse, but they seem a bit trite to me. I don't feel those are enough to attempt to make a work of art based on them.

I would like to hear other people opinions, from both sides of the like/don't like spectrum.

[–] alswineh 18 years ago

Sorry, but I really do want to begin yelling at you for not liking this movie. But I will refrain. This is one of my all-time favorites, has been ever since I was a kid. I personally have always loved the crazy sense of humor, the music, the way LA is just as much of a character in the story as the people are. I love the hot-dog floating in the beginning. I love Harris driving from his house to his friend Ariel's house, not even a block away. I love loud, substained booming noises and slo-mo showers. I love how the paintings turn to look when Harris skates past them. This movie is beyond unrealistic- it's a "fractured fairy tale", with Shakespeare-quoting gravediggers, and storms that don't let the lover get away. How can you not love that?

[–] janelikesjoe 18 years ago

well I suposse its just not my kind of humor. Although some things were pretty funny, like him driving next door. thank you for not yelling me by the way. But what I didn't like the most about the movie was just the story, the plot. And some of the dressing as well, but mostly i just didn't like the story. but it did have its moments for me.

oh and when i say it was unrealistic i don't mean like "well the statures started moving their heads" or "roadway signs don't talk, LOL" or even "like anyone would skate in a museum."

What I mean is that I, personally, did not feel much honesty in this film; i didn't buy the story; that those two people with their lives and their dialogue and emotions and everything actually fell in love. I felt the film was TELLING me stuff rather than SHOWING me. Of course this is just me, but that is just what I meant when i said it was unrealistic, and this is NOT meant to insult the film or anyone!!

[–] dan_carson1980 18 years ago

To each their own. I think this is a wonderfully sweet film. It also really fits my own sense of humour quite a bit. Most of the friends that I've shown this to have loved it but, admittedly, some thought it was just okay.

I actually like how "unrealistic" it is. I think he's trying to do a contemporary fairy tale in the most unlikely of places - downtown Los Angeles. I kinda think any movie that has a traffic sign that plays bagpipes you have to approach in a certain way.

But, like I said, to each their own.

[–] deddlemo 18 years ago

You're right! It is just a somewhat pedantic yarn that spins and spins and makes you giggle. It's actually a pretty deft move on Mr. Martin's part, though. Remember that the plot and script of this movie are suffused with Shakespeare references. One in particular comes to mind:
"Life is a tale told by a fool; full of sound an fury, signifying nothing."
That describes the movie in which it is repeated. I think it's pretty slick. As a kind of 'man's man', I've got to say that this movie has always been the only kind-of love story that doesn't make me fall alseep or want to retch.
But hey, to each his or her own!

[–] 18 years ago

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