L.A. Story
Harris K. Telemacher is a "wacky weekend weatherman" for a local Los Angeles television station, who is searching for meaning in his otherwise cliché ridden Los Angeles life. With the help of an insightful and talkative Freeway sign, Harris embarks on a journey through Los Angeles in pursuit of Sarah, an English reporter who has been sent to the City of Angels to research an article for the London Times.
The film earned $28.9M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
L.A. Story (1991) reveals meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Mick Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 35 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Harris K. Telemacher does his shallow, upbeat TV weatherman routine in sunny L.A., living a superficial life in a superficial city.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Harris meets Sara McDowel, a British journalist visiting L.A. He's immediately attracted to her authenticity and intelligence, contrasting sharply with his current shallow existence.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Harris actively chooses to pursue Sara, calling her and arranging to spend time together. He commits to exploring this new possibility despite the complications., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False defeat: Sara reveals she's going back to England soon and may be getting back with her ex-husband. Stakes are raised. Harris realizes time is running out and he must make real changes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Sara leaves for England. Harris's chance at real love seems dead. His relationship with SanDeE* is empty. He's alone, having lost the one authentic thing in his artificial world., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The freeway sign gives Harris final clarity and direction. He synthesizes what Sara taught him about authenticity with decisive action. He knows what he must do: go to England and fight for real love., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
L.A. Story's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping L.A. Story against these established plot points, we can identify how Mick Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish L.A. Story within the comedy genre.
Mick Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Mick Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.6, reflecting strong command of classical structure. L.A. Story represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mick Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Mick Jackson analyses, see Clean Slate, Denial.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Harris K. Telemacher does his shallow, upbeat TV weatherman routine in sunny L.A., living a superficial life in a superficial city.
Theme
The talking freeway sign tells Harris: "There is someone out there for you." The theme of finding authentic love in an artificial world is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Harris's hollow relationship with his superficial girlfriend Trudi is established. We see his empty lifestyle, pretentious L.A. culture, lunch with his intellectual friends, and his growing dissatisfaction.
Disruption
Harris meets Sara McDowel, a British journalist visiting L.A. He's immediately attracted to her authenticity and intelligence, contrasting sharply with his current shallow existence.
Resistance
Harris debates pursuing Sara while still with Trudi. The magical freeway sign becomes his guide, offering cryptic advice. He's torn between his comfortable fake life and the possibility of something real.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Harris actively chooses to pursue Sara, calling her and arranging to spend time together. He commits to exploring this new possibility despite the complications.
Mirror World
Harris and Sara begin their relationship. Sara represents authenticity, culture, and depth—everything Harris's L.A. world lacks. She's the thematic mirror showing him what real connection looks like.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Harris courting Sara: magical dates around L.A., roller skating through an art museum, picnics, philosophical conversations. The promise of romance in the city of dreams unfolds.
Midpoint
False defeat: Sara reveals she's going back to England soon and may be getting back with her ex-husband. Stakes are raised. Harris realizes time is running out and he must make real changes.
Opposition
Harris tries harder but his old patterns sabotage him. Complications with Trudi resurface. SanDeE* (a young model) enters as a distraction. Sara sees him with SanDeE*, creating misunderstandings. Everything gets messier.
Collapse
Sara leaves for England. Harris's chance at real love seems dead. His relationship with SanDeE* is empty. He's alone, having lost the one authentic thing in his artificial world.
Crisis
Harris processes his loss. He realizes he's been living inauthentically. The dark night where he confronts that he must truly change and take a real risk, not just play at romance.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The freeway sign gives Harris final clarity and direction. He synthesizes what Sara taught him about authenticity with decisive action. He knows what he must do: go to England and fight for real love.
Synthesis
Harris executes his plan: breaks free from his old life, goes to England to find Sara. The finale where he proves he's genuinely changed by taking authentic action rather than staying in comfortable superficiality.
Transformation
Harris and Sara reunite in England, now equals in authenticity. The closing image shows Harris transformed: no longer the shallow weatherman, but someone capable of real love and genuine feeling.