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:

In the book, Harry Zimm tells Chili Palmer that he wanted to cast Gene Hackman as the lead in his new film. Hackman, of course, portrays Harry Zimm in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Chili is being questioned by the DEA, the ashtray on the window sill moves between shots.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Confession (2005/I)

Soundtrack:

Tana's Theme

Like an ol' familiar song, done with some twists. Nice casting

Barry Sonnenfeld was and maybe wasn't the right choice to make Get Shorty. He's a great visualist, and his films (Adams Family, Men in Black) are also very funny, but it's hard to say whether or not another director might've taken Elmore Leonard's sly comic novel more seriously or with less depth. As it is, however, Get Shorty is a cool little treat that doesn't over-stay its welcome, and provides its cast a plethora of witty dialog. John Travolta brings on some sharp attitude, knowing the angles and wanting, as his character Chili Palmer, to get into Hollywood and out of loan sharking. Gene Hackman's funny as a fledgling producer with his first, true big hit in his lap. And supporting parts from Delroy Lindo, Renne Russo, Danny De Vito (as 'Hollywood' as you'll ever see him), and James Gandolfini, are all very worthy. It's a worthwhile watch, with a dead-on score from John Lurie. But I would reccomend Out of Sight or Jackie Brown to Leonard fans looking for a great adaptation. It's a very good Hollywood picture (reflective of what it's about), though it's not a masterpiece. A-