Customer Reviews

Get Shorty

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is one of the cleverest comedies out there. John Travolta plays a bookie (Chili Palmer) in Miami Beach, FL. He is one of these respected hard nose, no BS type of people that just demands respect wherever he goes. But for a change of pace and a change of heart, not to mention money that is owned to him, he flies out to California. He is searching for a man who took a very large some of money, but in the mean time is caught up in the Hollywood movie making industry. He meets up and makes friends with Gene Hackman, a B movie director always looking for the next big break. Rene Russo plays a B movie washed up actress who is helping Travolta get into the movie industry. Mean while, old friends and enemies follow Travolta to the sunshine state to find out what he is up to and possibly move in on the action. This movie also has Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, cameo by Penny Marshall, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini, and more twists and turns that you can imagine. If you are looking for a really fun comedy with lots of stars then this is the movie to get!

Quentin Tarantino noted that the movie John Travolta did after "Pulp Fiction" was probably more important than "Pulp Fiction" with respect to his comeback in movies. This movie solidified John's popularity with his core audience. The movie is smart, irreverent, funny, satirical and just plain cool. If you watch it, note how the soundtrack is used to compliment the scenes. The score is almost like another actor in each scene. It is brought, forcefully, to the forefront of the scenes to provide color and depth. This rarely works in movies but it is done with considerable skill in "Get Shorty". Another "over the top" application is the product placement of the "Cadillac of Mini-Vans". They made no excuses and wrote the mini-van right into the script.
This is a very well made movie. The actors are wonderful, the homage paid to prior films of it's ilk are subtle, yet, crafted skillfully, and the cinematography and music perfectly compliment the film flow and style.
Okay, it's pretty clear I really like this movie. Nice thing about movies, there are many different movies of all types to satisfy our different tastes. If you like smart, dark comedies then I think you'll love this one. Enjoy!

"Get Shorty" is supposed to be a mix between an Elmore Leonard novel (which it is based on), a Quentin Tarantino film, and a funny comedy. Too bad "funny comedy" can't be classified any clearer, because while I found "Get Shorty" amusing, it's nothing great. "Get Shorty" has to be one of the most overrated comedies I've seen in a long time. I expected something extremely clever and witty, and all I got was a funny-yet-average comedy that tries hard to evoke laughs and ends up with a sappy and predictable ending.

John Travolta plays a gangster oozing of self-confidence and charisma. He is a great mob collector, but he's always wanted to get in the Hollywood spot his whole life. So the movie follows him on a quest to make a movie in Hollywood, with the help of film producer Gene Hackman and the romantic interest of the film, Rene Russo. Danny DeVito joins in on the ride as a Hollywood filmmaker, and James Gandolfini plays a big, fierce but loveable hitman.

"Get Shorty" starts off with Travolta making his gangster rounds, and I was waiting to be extremely amused and absorbed in the film. But as it dragged on, I found that the film didn't really seem to go anywhere. It wanders around a lot, being something different than it could have been. I know a lot of people cherish this film, but pardon my ignorance: I don't see the attraction. What exactly is so darn funny about this film? Just because a comedy is dark, violent and slightly controversial doesn't always equal laughs. I try to dissect the thinking process of the filmmakers: violence + darkness + comedy = good movie. Unfortunately, this is how I view it: over-the-top, LOOK AT ME--I'M ORIGINAL-type-violence + wannabe Quentin Tarantino darkness = slightly amusing but all-in-all disappointing comedy. I'm not one to complain about pointless, gratuitous violence in film: I think people go over the top on bashing violent films. But to have violence just for the sake of trying to be original is like making an R-rated porno movie just to get people to wander at how it didn't get rated X. By making people gasp at an element of the film can be good, but not when it is in the way of, "Wow! How did they get away with that?"--it's just being controversial for the sake of being controversial. Making a movie like "Get Shorty" is a way for studio executives to cash in on a film that disguises language for intelligence, violence for fashion and darkness for smarts.

But apart from picking on this film, there are some things to praise it for. For example, the characters are well developed, and there are some great actors in this movie, even though I'm not a fan of Travolta. I just wish there had been a little more thought put into it, other than a bunch of filmmakers sitting down and trying to think of a controversial comedy.

Barry Sonnenfeld (director of "Men in Black") doesn't use the same humor as his previous films here, and I guess he does a fine job of adding a hint of darkness to the tale. But I can't help but wonder if Danny DeVito himself could have done a finer job.

All in all, disappointing, but still worth seeing when you've got the time.

I fear this is one of those comedies that I'll really love the second time around--I'll let you know if I enjoyed it more if I ever see it again.

"Get Shorty " in my opinion is one of the most hilarious send ups of the Hollywood movie industry ever put to film.Director, Barry Sonnenfeld and writer, Elmore Leonard have put their talents together to create a satirical film, which 'takes no prisoners' in its look at the underhanded ways, that folks wheel and deal to get movies made.The film centers on a charismatic mobster (John Travolta), who while on a trip to L.A., decides to switch careers. He wants to make movies!This is not as far fetched as it seems. Apparently being a movie producer isn't that far of a jump from being a loan shark or racketeer! Along the way Chilly meets up with with a schlock movie producer, a scream queen, a L.A. hood and his henchman, another mobster from Miami and finally the 'Shorty' (a self-involved, superstar actor)of the film's title. All of them underestimate Chilly and think he is just a dumb hood, who can be conned out of some major, illegal money waiting in a locker at the L.A. airport. But Chilly seems to know all the right moves and plays everyone at their own game.Writer, Elmore Leonard wrote this fast paced, witty story after experiencing a real life, frustrating job of trying to write a script for vertically challenged actor, Dustin Hoffman... Revenge must be sweet, because it inspired a great piece of comic writing.The cast of actors in this movie is wonderful. Normally, I'm not the biggest John Travolta fan, but his take on mobster, Chilly Palmer is electrifying. Travolta plays the character with a swagger, confindence, and a smile that is sheer perfection! Gene Hackman is also hilarious as the sleaziest of sleazy Hollywood producers. This guy would sell out his own mother if it ment getting a piece of the gross!.Finally, Danny DeVito just makes this movie with his send up of every spoiled rotten, self-indulgent Hollywood actor that could ever come to mind. Kudos should also go for great, comic supporting roles from James Gandolfini and Dennis Farina.For an evening of some very funny Hollywood satire, I recommend you to get..."Get Shorty"!

This is it, ladies and gentlemen, THE film of the mid-90's. Right up there with Pulp Fiction, The Usual uspects, and Fargo, this flick'll have you laughing, gasping, and laughing some more with the brilliant performances and clever screenplay. Based on the Elmore Leonard novel, Barry Sonnenfeld directed this awsome movie with an all-star cast. Keep an eye out for David Paymer and Bette Midler in some short...but great roles. However, Denis Farina steals the show as Bones, a dumb-as-dirt mobster. And, fans of GET SHORTY will be glad to hear that there may be a chance of a sequal. NOT SURE...but Elmore Leonard just finished th follow-up to GET SHORTY, called BE COOL.
GET SHORTY is rated R for seemingly relentless profanity and some violence. (just thought I'd warn you) GET SHORTY IS A TRULY GREAT FILM, AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

Get Shorty was a very disappointing movie dumped on some good actors. John Travolta, Rene Russo, and Gene Hackman do O.K. with the hopelessly aimless plot they are given. I found this movie a torture to watch. The script is very weak and what plot there is skips back and forth like a hopscotch game. There is no persuasiveness or depth to this movie. If you like well-crafted plots and movies that enable empathy with the characters, avoid this movie!

John Travolta is hands down the most inconsistent leading man in America. For every bomb (Battlefield Earth, and the horrid Urban Cowboy) there's a hit (Pulp Fiction and Michael). Anyone other than he would be doing well to be sitting in the upper left hand corner of Hollywood Squares, yet we always forgive Joh his misfires and we let him rivive his career over and over.

His sparkling performance in Get Shorty is why we are so forgiving. His the wise guy with a heart schtick is never batter in this Elmore Leonard vehicle. The film, which is Barry Sonnenfeld's best work other than Men in Black, is s send up of showbiz, the mob, and showbiz and the mob.

Danny Devito plays what may well have been his last truly funny role, made all the more hilarious because his Brando-esque character takes himself almost as seriously as DeVito takes himself these days. Renee Russo plays her role perfectly as do the rest of the supporting cast.

But this picture belongs to Dennis Farina whose character is brilliant. Farina has more or less made an entire career playing this guy, and it all began with this truly funny movie.

Grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy this one over and over.

What could be better than this snappy comedy, based on an Elmore Leonard book and with a cast including John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, and James Gandolfini? Answer: not much. This is guiltless fun for a Friday night when you want to just hang out with friends and laugh out loud. A classic of the '90s.

Funky Elmore Leonard tale that gets in digs against Hollywood. Hackman has a knack for playing smarmy characters, and Dennis Farina (a former Chicago cop) plays a good heavy.

Undoubtedly a super movie. Filled with many Comedic Moments and Action packed scenes, this movie really kept my interest. John Travolta and Dennis Farina really fed very well off each other. I love the way Travolta handles himself so Matter Of Factly especially when retrieving his leather jacket in the opening moments of the movie. Also Travolta displays his cool when he makes a surpise visit to Gene Hackman and when confronting(Bear) James Galdolphini and (Bo) Delroy Lindo at the restaurant. The airport scenes are entertaining as well.

With a cast like this, you Amazon Readers are strongly advised to check this one out at once.