With the help of a talking highway billboard, an “eccentric weatherman” attempts to win the heart of a British newspaper reporter who is trying to understand the strange world of early ’90s Los Angeles.
Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film actors:
- Harris K. Taylormacher as Steve Martin
- Sarah McDowell as Victoria Tennant
- Roland McGee as Richard E Grant
- Trudy: Marylou Henner
- Sandy: Sarah Jessica Pike
- Ariel: Susan Forestall
- Frank Swann as Kevin Pollack
- Maurice Frost as Sam MacMurray
- Mr. Perdue: Patrick Stewart
- Bob, News Anchor: Andrew Amado
- Gaelic: Gaelic grille
- Brunch Head Waiter: Eddie De Harp
- Rap Waiter by L’Idiot: MC Shan
- June: Frances Fisher
- Cynthia: Iman
- Ted: Tommy Hinckley
- Tom: Larry Miller
- Sharon: Anne Crawford
- Sheila: Samantha McCoy
- Male: Thornton Simmons
- Liar: Dennis Long
- Bank Executive: Richard Starr
- Bored Speaker: Aaron Lustig
- Woman: Julianna McCarthy
- The flosser in “L’Idiot: Time Winters”
- Chef: Pierre Epstein
- Jesse: Wesley Thompson
- Direct Weather Forecaster: George Plimpton
- Pilot: David Green Price
- Tony: Wesley Mann
- Todd PA: Mark Steen
- All PA: Jaime Gomez
- Todd PA: Amy Wallace
- Locker Room Lady: Cheryl Baker
- Old woman: Mrs. Mei
- Co-pilot: Scott Johnston
- Chainsaw Juggler: Robert Lind
- Hard Rock Patron: Tony Masco
- Photographer: Bert Nack
- Ticket Agent: Mary Pedersen
- Endorsing model teacher: Matt Stetson
- Tail O’ the Pup Front roller skater (uncredited): Paula Abdul
- Behrman (uncredited): Brian Banowitz
- Valet Parking (uncredited): Sean Michael Beyer
- Waiter (uncredited): Michael E. Burgess
- Carlo Christopher (uncredited): Chevy Chase
- Extras (uncredited): Tina Cote
- Yard Boy (uncredited): Larry Echerer
- Harris’ boss (uncredited): Woody Harrelson
- Sarah’s mother (voice) (uncredited): Terry Jones
- Gravedigger (uncredited): Rick Moranis
- Voice call (voice) (uncredited): Robert Picardo
- Locker Room Girl (uncredited): Cindra Skotzko
- Stagehand (not listed): Terri Wilson
Photography team:
- Costume Design: Rudy Dillon
- Art Director: Charles William Breen
- Editor: Richard A. Harris
- Producer: Michael I. Rehmiel
- Director: Mick Jackson
- Executive Producer: Steve Martin
- Original music composer: Peter Rogers Melnyk
- Director of Photography: Andrew Dunn
- Producer: Daniel Melnyk
- Casting: Mindy Marling
- Casting Assistant: Amy Wallace
- Executive Producer: Mario Casal
- Location Manager: Jerry Ariganello
- Music Editor: Katherine Bennett
- Production Mixer: James E. Webb
- Sound re-recording mixer: Andy Napell
- Special Effects Coordinator: Alan E. Lorimer
- Still Photographer: Marcia Reed
- Production Design: Lawrence Miller
- Script Supervisor: Pamela Archie
- Set Decoration: Chris Butler
- Unit Production Manager: Chris Coles
- Sound editing supervisor: Lon Bender
- Sound Editor: Mark P. Stoeckinger
- Sound re-recording mixer: Richard Portman
- First Assistant Editor: Jane Kass
- Stunt Coordinator: Joe Dunn
- Makeup artist: Frank Griffin
- Hairstylist: Tony Ann Walker
- Hairstylist: Joey Zapata
- Makeup artist: Robert Osterman
Movie review:
- Peter McGinn: Well, cinematically speaking, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. It’s witty and fun compared to the crazy comedies of past movies. I wouldn’t say it was great, just good enough that when I saw a DVD copy at a thrift store, I bought it. I didn’t even think about buying a new one.
- Steve Martin wrote the name, so you get some weird little jokes, like his character telling a blond Bimbo girlfriend, Sandy, that her name is normal and not like a hippie name, and then she puts It’s spelled S with a capital D, a lower case e, a capital E – well, you get the idea. The depth of the humor isn’t Mensa-level, but it’s harmless fun.
- The actors worked well together and brought everyone laughter and interest in what was going on. I could have not been jumping up and down on the hotel bed somewhere near the middle of the movie, but that’s what happened. This movie is a joy to watch. Post-pandemic, when you feel safe having friends over, this will be a great option because you won’t have to work so hard not to talk about it. One doesn’t lose the plot. The little fantasy elements of highway traffic signs are cute too. enjoy.
- JPV852: A quirky and out-of-place romantic comedy that benefits from Steve Martin’s unique performance and some odd humor involving the ubiquitous highway billboard. Have seen this several times over the years and it still holds up; just a lighthearted film. **3.75/5**
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