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Get Shorty
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by MGM (Video & DVD)
Sales Rank: 25605
Price: $4.94
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John Travolta is the standout in this somewhat cartoonish adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel about a smalltime Miami enforcer (Travolta) who decides to get into the movie business in L.A. The cast sparkles--Gene Hackman as a failing cut-rate-movie producer, Rene Russo as a failed actress, Danny DeVito as a vain thespian, Delroy Lindo as a mobster who wants a cut of Travolta's film action--and the script is clever. But not clever enough: this isn't Robert Altman's <I>The Player</I>, as far as satires about Hollywood go. But director Barry Sonnenfeld (<I>Men in Black</I>) keeps it cute and brisk and that makes for an enjoyable experience. Travolta is great as a vaguely dangerous, supremely self-confident man whose love of movies makes him almost cuddly. The DVD release includes optional widescreen or standard formats, optional French and Spanish soundtracks, original theatrical trailer, and Dolby digital sound. <I>--Tom Keogh</I>
Viewer Reviews
Probably the greatest ensemble cast performance of 1995, `Get Shorty' is also one of the greatest comedies of that given year as well. It's witty, smart and engaging from start to finish, with enough twists and turns to keep us glued yet not so many that we wind up confused. There is really little to nothing worth griping about since the film is, well, perfect.
I almost hate reviewing films this good because it becomes difficult to find things to talk about.
So, `Get Shorty' revolves around Chili Palmer, loan shark turned Hollywood movie mogul as he is turned onto the business while collecting from sleazy Hollywood director Harry Zimm. Chili has an interest in film (he loves movies) and he is growing tired of the life of a gangster, so he dives head first into this newfound life of crime (the film does a gallant job of proving the similarities between legal and illegal `crime'). Harry has his eye on a film that is going to make him a huge Hollywood player; the only problem is that the scripts writer died and his wife wants half-a-mill for the rights to the film. Wannabe mogul Bo Carlett wants in, but Chili wants to be Harry's sole partner. Chili makes nice with Karen, an actress who was once married to two-time Academy Award nominee Martin Weir, in hopes that she could get him interested in doing the film. In the meantime Harry is scrounging around trying to get someone to put up the money for the script, and when he's exhausted his options he tries to entice Ray Bones, Chili's ex-employer.
There is a lot going on here, but it is all constructed in such a brilliantly fluid way. Nothing ever gets lost in the joggle, each character is wonderfully fleshed out and each actor does a masterful job at bringing the goods.
John Travolta rightfully won the Golden Globe for best comedic performance; it's just a shame the Academy didn't see right to nominate him. I may prefer his turn here to his Oscar nominated turn in `Pulp Fiction'; operative word being `may'. He is hilariously on-point here, delivering such a cool and collected performance that permeates the entire film. I love me some Hackman, and he is also quite good here, but he takes a backseat to the array of characters sharing the screen with him. Dennis Farina is the films biggest standout. His animosity with Chili is engaging and rewarding from scene one onward. He brings the funny brilliantly. Delroy Lindo needs better roles. He is a very engaging actor, but he never really pushes himself in the right directions. This is the best I've seen him. Rene Russo normally turns me off, but she was so charismatically natural here, funny and witty and charming; I just loved her. Danny DeVito, James Gandolfini, David Paymer; everyone in the film does a fantastic job of doing what they do best.
If you are looking for an engaging and rewarding movie experience then look no further than `Get Shorty'. This is one of those comedies that has it all. From the script to the acting to the memorable sets, `Get Shorty' is a must see, a film that is a `must get'; as in "you must get `Get Shorty'".
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Get Shorty
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