Los Angeles Plays Itself—Our City Is Also a Star

Los Angeles. The city of angels. The city of dreams. It’s a city whose name alone holds significant weight. Rivaling New York City in terms of renown, Los Angeles isn’t famous for no reason.

(Official trailer for "Los Angeles Plays Itself" courtesy of The Cinema Guild)

For all its glitz and glamour, there is something entirely bewitching about the city and its history. And that history is intertwined with the ever-alluring Hollywood. Our city is no stranger to the silver screen, nor does it ever flail about in mediocrity to disappoint adoring audiences. It’s a city of magic—practical or computer-generated. Which is why when I consulted my Letterboxd (the premier app for any annoyingly pretentious cinephile) to pick a movie to watch for me on a cozy autumn Friday night, I found myself drawn to this incredibly niche hidden gem—lauded as a “treat for cinephiles”. Directed by Thom Anderson (not Yorke or Browne) and released in 2003, the nearly three hour long documentary explores Los Angeles through the lens of the medium the city knows best: Film.

Anderson makes the bold argument that the influence of Hollywood overshadows the city of Los Angeles, citing over 220 movies to support his claim. He combs through every single genre, with some of my favorites being mentioned like Rush Hour and Clueless. Anderson even manages to make a dig at modernist architecture, going through lengths of the film explaining directors’ distaste and extreme dislike for it.

(Movie Poster by IMDB)

Narrated by the soothingly enchanting Encke King, Los Angeles Plays Itself is an illuminating journey through time and reels of film. This documentary is a marriage of all the things I love so much: the city of Los Angeles, insanely detailed information that no normal person would ever likely have stored off the top of their heads, and film history. I certainly wish though Thom Anderson undertakes the task of making a follow up to this extensive video essay however, adding newer movies that I feel like portray Los Angeles beautifully such as Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and La La Land. This documentary is simply a must watch for anyone who loves film, or anyone who’s fell in love with Los Angeles at least once in their life. I can’t wait to get through the entirety of the movies mentioned in this documentary and come back with a richer knowledge of film history, able to fully appreciate the lengths Thom Anderson went to put this video essay together.

Coming out of this movie I felt a bit lackadaisical and inferior in the strength of my own film knowledge. Los Angeles, the city where I spent my the most important parts of so-called coming of age years, holds a special place in my heart. Despite the polarizing opinions it often elicits, my affection for it runs deep, as deep as the history that outlines the concrete freeways and imported palm trees. Witnessing its portrayal in the world of cinema over the years has been nothing short of delightful and fascinating. Now, armed with a treasure trove of trivia, I look forward to playfully and endlessly irritate those who may not share my enthusiasm. I eagerly anticipate my return to this documentary, where my connection to its vibrant tapestry of life of Los Angeles will be rekindled once more.