| Get Shorty | | Cast : | John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito | | Director : | Barry Sonnenfeld | | Studio : | Mgm/Ua Studios | | Format : | Color, Widescreen, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | October 20, 1995 | | DVD Released Date : | May 06, 2003 | | Language : | Spanish (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 08, 2005 | | Summary | Great Characters and Performances Overcome Story's Weak Points | Content
 | John Travolta's role as Vincent Vega in "Pulp Fiction" would launch not only a major comeback in his movie career - but would also start a streak of money-making and well-received movies that he would star in. One of the first movies in that streak that would follow-up "Pulp Fiction" would be "Get Shorty". In "Get Shorty", Travolta stars as Chili Palmer - a collector for a Miami loan-shark who aspires to get into the movie business. This role seemed tailor-made for Travolta. It brings a solid cast to carry out the storyline - and they succeed in doing so. While "Get Shorty" will entertain you and still is a good movie, ultimately I still find some weaknesses with the movie as a whole.
John Travolta's career has ultimately been defined by the characters he has portrayed. One thing that probably hurt John Travolta's movie career is he has sometimes been put into some real "lemon" type of roles. This was seen throughout the 1980s. A prime example of this was Travolta playing "Rolling Stone" magazine reporter Adam Lawrence in 1985's "Perfect" - bad movie and a bad match of a role for Travolta. At the same time, the better Travolta matches up with the character - the better the movie is. Travolta's performances as "Saturday Night Fever"'ss Tony Manero and "Grease"'s Danny Zucco are prime examples of how well Travolta matched up with the character. It is completely fair to add "Get Shorty"'s Chili Palmer to the list of characters that Travolta matches up very well to. In fact, this might be one of his best roles.
The story of "Get Shorty" is as follows: Chili Palmer is Miami Loan Shark collector who is a big fan of the movies. When his "Boss" dies, Chili's arch-enemy Ray "Bones" Barboni (played brilliantly by Dennis Farina) becomes his new boss. Ray sends Chili to Las Vegas to collect on a debt. While collecting on the debt, Chili learns of another person who owes money - low-budget movie producer Harry Zimm (played by Gene Hackman). When Chili heads to Los Angeles and meets up with Harry, he becomes intrigued with getting into the movie business. With Harry in-debt, Chili convinces Harry to take him in as a producer for a film is is doing. However life isn't going to be that easy. Harry is also dealing with some loan-shark characters in Los Angeles - most notably one named Bo Catlett (played by Delroy Lindo). It turns out that Bo wants in on the movies as well. Chili will soon team-up with actress Karen Flores (played by Rene Russo) who has worked with Harry. Chili and Karen's job is going to be to convince Karen's ex-husband - big time movie star Martin Weir to be in Harry's movie. Ultimately, the loan-sharking dynamics between Ray, Bo, and Chili are ultimately going to come into play as everyone is going to want to either collect their debts and/or get a fair share of Harry's movie.
One thing that makes Travolta's character Chili Palmer stand out is going to be the flawless and smooth delivery of his dialogue. This has always been a Travolta staple going back to his Vinny Barbarino ("Welcome Back Kotter") and Tony Manero days. This is especially evident as each time when Chili confronts someone he says "Look at me". However there are many one-liners that Chili Palmer will deliver - and help build his character throughout the movie. One of my favorite parts is when Harry introduces Bo to Chili as his "associate". When Bo questions Chili on who he really is, Chili replies in a very smooth manner: "It's what he said, I'm his associate". In addition to the dialogue, Chili Palmer is going to have some great scene presence. This is best seen each time Chili "appears" in someone's room.
There are three other significant performances that stand-out in this movie. Gene Hackman does a very nice job playing the low-budget filmmaker Harry Zimm. Hackman might be one of the most busy and versatile actors in the business. He does a lot of movies - but also is very adaptable to any-type of role. Delroy Lindo's portrayal of L.A. mobster Bo Catlett is terrific. Like Travolta, he is flawless at portraying someone who is a a very "smooth" character. Finally, Dennis Farina's portrayal of Miami mobster Ray "Bones" Barboni is also outstanding. Farina plays a very similar-type of character to that of Jimmy Serrano in "Midnight Run". He is going to have a lot of quick one-liners and really is going to be a highlight of the movie. Also worth noting "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini plays "Bear" - a collector for Bo Catlett.
There are also three uncredited performances: Bette Midler plays a girlfriend of Harry Zimm, Penny Marshall has a cameo at the end of the movie as a director, and David Groh (famous from "Rhoda") is going to play Martin Weir's agent.
There are two problems with this movie. While I did find the storyline entertaining, I did find it extremely confusing to keep up with the specific "details" of the story - namely who is who and who did what. Perhaps this traces back to the original Elmore Leonard novel for which this book is based on. I usually prefer my films at a "simpler" level - and I think that would have helped this story. The other problem is that I found the ending to be weak. While I think this movie does a very good job at not "dragging out" the ending, I ultimately found the ending a bit anti-climatic. It was an ultimate let-down to a movie that despite the confusing "details" of the plot, does provide an entertaining edge.
Overall, I think when we look back at John Travolta's career someday - Chili Palmer is going to be one of his best remembered ones. Despite some of the weak points, this is still one movie I'd recommend. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 22, 2005 | | Summary | Could Use Bogart's Sam Spade | Content
| Elmore Leonard books have been around for a while. I haven't indulged because essentially they are genre books, detective, gangster yarns. However, they adapt nicely to film: Jackie Brown, and now Get Shorty.
John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Danny Devito and other Hollywood or gangster types give a modern characterization of sleazy schemers, fast sex, and money. The gangsters are portrayed not unlike Hollywood producers or actors. They are all ruthless and money grubbing. Power and egotism is all that matters. Life is cheap. Yet this is a comedy, a satire. Travolta is playing a parody of his Pulp Fiction character. Danny Devito isn't very convincing as an actor though he is an actor. Get the joke? Here's the problem: it's funny at times, but in the end, nobody cares how cool Travolta is. Nobody is sympathetic. We don't identify with thugs and slime. Call Sam Spade if you want something more.
|
| Rating | | | Date | March 09, 2005 | | Summary | "Get Shorty" Special Edition Review! | Content
| Barry Sonnefeld's "Get Shorty" was in many people's opinions the best adaption of an Elmore Leonard novel to that point. John Travolta, who had just made his big comeback performance in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" scored another massive hit with his role of Chili Palmer, a Miami lone shark who gets sent to Hollywood to muscle a B-movie producer but ends up getting swept in by the business. Along for the ride is an all-star cast including Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Delroy Lindo, Dennis Farina, and James Gandolfini. "Get Shorty" is a fun, hip good time. The DVD special edition includes a deleted sequence involving Ben Stiller, an audio commentary, and a number of extra featurettes. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 05, 2005 | | Summary | The Long And The Short Of It | Content
| Get Shorty is yet another example of a film that, while I'm not really a big fan of its star--in this case John Travolta, it is still hard to resist. Adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1990 novel (never read it) of the same name, the film is pretty funny and gives viewers a peek at how tinstletown works its mojo.
Chili Palmer (Travolta), a Miami loan shark who's been sent to L.A. to collect on a bad debt from trash movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), the maker of the stunning flops "Grotesque" and "Slime People." But this is Harry's lucky day, because Chili is also a film buff, and when he's done talking tough he starts pitching Harry a script idea. Soon, Chili is smoothly launched into the life of a producer: romancing B-movie scream queen, Karen Flores (Rene Russo) schmoozing superstars like Martin Weir (Danny DeVito), getting reservations in the hottest restaurants in town. However, Chili's not the only mobster wanting to turn producer. A thug named Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo), another of Harry's lenders, also wants a piece of the action. Add in a group of angry drug smugglers and it's double and even triple-crosses all around.
Get Shorty works for several reasons. Not the least of which is Scott Frank's script, as it crosses the line of life imitating art--and vice versa--many times, including uising the real Ernest "Chili" Palmer (on whom the main character is based) playing a Mafia henchman and is filled with many other memorable moments. As a director, Barry Sonnenfeld's films vary in quality, (as the awful Big Trouble from 2002 demonstrated) here, he hits a perfect stride. Surrounded by talent like Hackman, Russo, DeVito, and Dennis Farina as Ray "bones" Barboni brings Travolta up a notch as well.
Timed to coincide with the theatrical release of the sequel, Be Cool, the 2 disc special edition boasts some worthwhile bonus material. The audio commentary by Sonnenfeld is effective at getting you from points A to Z and worth a listen, especially if you like the film. The three making of featurettes would have worked better as one whole--rather than split up. Working better is the Bravo channel's Page To Screen special--giving you a sense of how Frank adapted the book and Sonnenfeld's take on it. Of course there's the obligatory sneak peek at Be Cool-The reason the special edition even exists. A few outtakes that are actually funny, a Get Shorty party reel, photo gallery, and the original theatrical and sequel trailer top off the set.
Get Shorty is an entertaining romp. A wild look at the celebrity life in Hollywood, featuring numerous cameos of stars playing themselves as Travolta hams it up in good way
|
| Rating | | | Date | February 20, 2005 | | Summary | Witty, funny movie gets the "special" treatment | Content
| It takes a loan shark leading the way to make Hollywood honest. "Get Shorty" returns in a new 2 disc "Collector's Edition" DVD just in time for the sequel "Too Cool" which will be premiering in theaters in March. Translating Elmore Leonard's novels to the screen can be a tricky business luckily both screenwriter Scott Frank and director Barry Sonnenfeld are both up to the task with an inventive dark comedic film. Chili Palmer (John Travolta) heads west to collect a debt from down-and-out B-movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman). When Harry can't pay, Chili opts to help him make a movie about, well, Chili Palmer. The catch is that Chili and Harry need a star to make their movie viable. Chili quickly finds that the film business shares a lot in common with the world of organized crime. Chili romances B-Movie queen Karen Flores (Rene Russo) an ex- of Harry's and persuades film star Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) to star in the film but not before running into a Cadillac of very funny mishaps along the way. Featuring a great performances from Dennis Farina as the clueless Ray `Bones' Barboni, Travolta, Hackman, Russo, DeVito and a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini, "Get Shorty" positively sparkles with wit and energy.
Sporting a new high definition transfer "Get Shorty" looks simply marvelous. With a sharp looking transfer showing a minimum of digital artifacts and no analog flaws, "Get Shorty" deserves the deluxe treatment. The image has amazing depth and an image sharper than Chili's aim. The colors practically leap out from the screen brighter than Harry Zimm's blindingly white teeth from the moment the pink and blue titles pop up on the screen until the moment we hear "cut" at the end. With blacks richer and darker than Chili's stolen coat, MGM has done a superb job of translating this modern classic to DVD. The crystal clear sound comes across with more presence than B-Movie queen Karen Flores' screams.
Extras are exceptionally good in this "Special Edition". It's like having seconds of a terrific desert; while no one really needs it, it's great to have just the same. We get a number of notable extras as part of this rich meal. The second disc has three featurettes on different aspects of the film, the deleted "Graveyard Scene", outtakes, the "Get Shorty" party reel, a documentary from Bravo Channel on the making of the movie and a sneak peak at "Be Cool". "Get Shorty: Look at Me" opens the book on how Elmore Leonard came up with the plot for "Get Shorty" and developed the idea. DeVito, Travolta, Hackman, Russo, Sonnenfeld and other key cast and crew participate in this featurette on the production of the film. Full of clips from the movie to illustrate the points made throughout the featurette, it's a great summation of the greatness of this film. It's a 30 minute love fest reminding fans why they love this movie so much. The 20 minute "Get Shorty: Wise Guys and Dolls" focuses on the fun, complex characters of the movie. "The Graveyard Scene" featurette allows Sonnenfeld to comment on the single deleted scene of the movie included the hilarious, well, graveyard scene. Featuring a funny cameo with Ben Stiller, Sonnenfeld clearly regretted cutting the scene but Sonnenfeld couldn't find a place for sequence where it fit. The behind-the-scenes stuff and interviews last longer than the actual scene itself. "Going Again" features footage from outtakes and a discussion from Sonnenfeld about the technique of using long takes, pulling out the best bits and putting it together to make magic. The sneak peak for "Be Cool" promises that the sequel to "Get Shorty" promises to be as funny as the first film. Set in the music business, it may not be more than a promo piece for the film but it gives viewers enough of a taste to rope `em in.
Bravo's "Page to Screen" documentary featuring Peter Gallagher features plenty of interviews with critics, other writers and focuses as much on how Elmore Leonard comes up with the material in his books, writes them and, once again, takes us behind-the-scenes of the production of the movie. The real treat is hearing from the real Chili Palmer discussing the "reel" Chili Palmer and Leonard's character. The "Party Reel" mainly consists of bits and piece of cut footage and behind-the-scenes stuff nothing earth shattering or all that funny. In addition to the "Get Shorty" theatrical trailer and we get two promos one for "Fargo" and one for "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". My only complaint is the MGM "promo" opener that they put on ALL of their DVDs. It's annoying and, unfortunately, there's no way to pass it by. It's a pretty minor issue but the fact that it's on all of their DVDs makes it a real pain.
A dry, witty commentary by Barry Sonnenfeld highlights this disc. The only drawback is the lack of participation of Travolta, Hackman, Russo and DeVito. I realize they have busy schedules but it would have been a real highlight and perfect addition to this DVD.
A hip, funny comedy that continues to deliver in spades, "Get Shorty" looks terrific, sounds great and has some terrific special features. This is an example of a re-release that's worth upgrading. Definitely worth owing on DVD and purchasing a second time if you love the movie. This IS the version to own.
|
|
|
|
|
