Get Shorty (1995)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers (WGA):

Elmore Leonard (novel)
Scott Frank (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Attitude Plays a Part.

Plot:

A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job.

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Movie Business | Producer | Mobster | Loan Shark

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Chili Palmer
Gene Hackman	...	Harry Zimm
Rene Russo	...	Karen Flores
Danny DeVito	...	Martin Weir
Dennis Farina	...	Ray 'Bones' Barboni
Delroy Lindo	...	Bo Catlett
James Gandolfini	...	Bear
Jon Gries	...	Ronnie Wingate
Renee Props	...	Nicki
David Paymer	...	Leo Devoe
Martin Ferrero	...	Tommy Carlo
Miguel Sandoval	...	Mr. Escobar
Jacob Vargas	...	Yayo Portillo
Linda Hart	...	Fay Devoe
Bobby Slayton	...	Dick Allen

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violence.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:R (certificate #33866) | Philippines:PG-13 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A (DVD rating) | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Ireland:15 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Taiwan:R-18 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Jersey Films

Trivia:

Cameo: [Harvey Keitel]Plays Ray Barboni (Dennis Farina's character) in the movie-within-a-movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Chili is at the airport and is heading towards the locker, the camera view is from behind him, and as he approaches a woman passes by from the right. The shot immediately switches views as she hits center screen, yet when the camera view is from the front of Chili, the woman disappears.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tommy Carlo: It's fucking cold outside.

Movie Connections:

References The Godfather (1972)

Soundtrack:

Panacea

Wise Guys Go To Hollywood...

Get Shorty is a movie to sit back and enjoy for the ensemble of casting in it. Take one shylock from Miami (John Travolta), add one B grade movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), mix with a less-than-sharp wiseguy (Dennis Farina) and move the gang to Los Angeles. Once there meet Karen Flores (Rene Russo) and the star of the moment Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) and mix well. This movie is entertaining and the hysterical humor in it works. Hackman is hilarious without trying as Harry Zimm, a B grade producer Chili Palmer pays a visit to and decides to stay. Chili Palmer (Travolta) is a wise guy who finds his real calling is in producing movies. "Look at me" is Chili's attention getting tag line that soon everyone who meets Chili starts using to sound as dangerous as Chili acts. Dennis Farina plays Ray Barbone, another wise guy who, by default, becomes Chili's boss and is after money owed to him. Farina who used to be a real life cop, is both comical and in his element in this movie. Delroy Lindo is cast as a wannabe producer and hitman with great style and aplumb not to mention a dazzling, colorful wardrobe. James Gandolfini is very convincing as Lindo's sidekick "Bear" with a southern accent, who happens to be a stunt guy too. As all these ingredients come together, a great and worthy movie comes together as all key characters plot and plan to help Zimm (a great comic turn for Gene Hackman who never let's his audience down) get a large movie produced and made. Danny De Vito, as always, is a fine actor who, despite his small stature, can fill a big screen as the big star of the moment in Hollywood in "Get Shorty." This movie is Goodfellas meets LA Confidential. The casting is superb, the supporting cast is a must have ensemble and this movie takes off superbly from the opening scene in Miami and continues with a blast to Los Angeles where Chili decides he wants to be a movie producer and what Chili wants, Chili gets. Travolta's "Saturday Night Fever" swagger is alive and well in this comical wiseguy Hollywood movie. His maturity adds depth that was lacking in my opinion during his "Fever" days. Travolta is a superb actor, second to none and "Get Shorty" is a clever, well-acted movie worth keeping for a second look because it is such a pleasure to watch the first time.

If you're up for some great acting by Hollywood's finest, and want some hysterical laughs, "Get Shorty" is for you. Hey, look at me! I give this movie a 9 out of 10 for it's humor, it's plot, it's casting and it's ability to flat out entertain you. If you need to dissect a movie to see what makes it tick, I suggest "Das Boot" but if you want a great movie with lots of laughs, this one is for you.

I also recommend "Pulp Fiction" and yet another Travolta vehicle "Primary Colors." Travolta has grown into his acting and is natural on the big screen as both a great character actor and a movie star, able to combine humor with incredibly convincing roles. "Broken Arrow" and "Face/Off" are two more examples of the phenomenal Travolta who is one of few that crossed over from teen sensation to major movie star with staying power.

"Get Shorty" is a must see movie with plenty of action and non-stop laughs.