“Get Shorty” is a comedy film about a Miami mobster who unwittingly gets involved with the production of a Hollywood motion picture. Director Barry Sonnenfeld (“The Addams Family” 1991) created a gangster comedy that has some laughs, but is dragged down by segments of the film containing boring dialogue. This is due to an uneven screenplay by Scott Frank, which was adapted from the 1990 novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard.
Another problem of the film is that it relies too much on celebrities’ personalities for success. John Travolta heads the cast as gangster Chili Palmer, bringing his same old boring persona to the role that he has had front and center on almost every project he has been in since starring in television’s “Welcome Back Kotter” (1975-1979). Other cast members who also do not contribute much include Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, James Gandolfini, Bette Midler, David Paymer, Martin Ferrero, Miguel Sandoval, Jon Gries, and Linda Hart. Appearing in uncredited cameos are Penny Marshall, Alex Rocco, and Harvey Keitel.
The tedious and barely watchable “Get Shorty” was successful in theatrical release for producer Danny DeVito, Jersey Films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A sequel called “Be Cool” was released in 2005 once again starring Travolta, DeVito, and a different all-star cast. It did not experience the same success as the original.
Get Shorty (1995)
cinema
My Review
“Get Shorty” is a comedy film about a Miami mobster who unwittingly gets involved with the production of a Hollywood motion picture. Director Barry Sonnenfeld (“The Addams Family” 1991) created a gangster comedy that has some laughs, but is dragged down by segments of the film containing boring dialogue. This is due to an uneven screenplay by Scott Frank, which was adapted from the 1990 novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard.
Another problem of the film is that it relies too much on celebrities’ personalities for success. John Travolta heads the cast as gangster Chili Palmer, bringing his same old boring persona to the role that he has had front and center on almost every project he has been in since starring in television’s “Welcome Back Kotter” (1975-1979). Other cast members who also do not contribute much include Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, James Gandolfini, Bette Midler, David Paymer, Martin Ferrero, Miguel Sandoval, Jon Gries, and Linda Hart. Appearing in uncredited cameos are Penny Marshall, Alex Rocco, and Harvey Keitel.
The tedious and barely watchable “Get Shorty” was successful in theatrical release for producer Danny DeVito, Jersey Films, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A sequel called “Be Cool” was released in 2005 once again starring Travolta, DeVito, and a different all-star cast. It did not experience the same success as the original.