Review - Get Shorty (1995)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. Based on the novel of the same name, Barry Sonnenfeld's 1995 film Get Shorty is a crime comedy that stars John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Jon Gries, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini, Dennis Farima, and Danny DeVito. 

      The movie centers on Chili Palmer, a loan shark based on Miami, and currently under the protection of Brooklyn mob boss Momo. However, after Momo suddenly dies, all of his assets, including Chili, fall into the hands of Chili's rival Ray "Bones" Barboni, who sends Chili to collect an outstanding debt from dry cleaner Leo DeVoe, who apparently died in a plane crash. However, Chili learns from DeVoe's wife that DeVoe faked his death and fled with Bones' money to Las Vegas. But, upon arrival, Chili learns that DeVoe left Vegas days ago, and the casino boss asks Chili to collect another debt: a debt owed to the casino by filmmaker Harry Zimm. 

      So, Chili heads to Los Angeles, where he tails Harry back to the home of actress Karen Flores, and sneaks in to the house, luring Harry downstairs to talk. And, it's here where Chili pitches Harry and idea for a movie: a loan shark chasing down someone across the country to collect a debt. So, Chili basically pitches his going after DeVoe as an idea for a movie. Unfortunately, this new movie doesn't sit well with Harry's investors, Bo Catlett and Ronnie Wingate, who were already invested in another film Harry was making. Bo and Ronnie are a pair of no-goods that use their limo business as a drug front, and they've invested $200,000 for Harry to make a film called Mr. Lovejoy. Only one problem: Harry gambled all that money away. To resolve the issue, Chili collects the $500,000 from DeVoe, and instead of returning it to Bones, but decides not to use it to buy the Mr. Lovejoy script, and goes into the movie business while also rejecting Bo's offer to collaborate. 

      We also learn that Bo has stowed $500,000 in a locker, and the money is to be collected by Colombian gangsters. However, the locker is being monitored by DEA agents, who will arrest whomever goes after the money. One such gangster, Yayo, almost goes for the money, but gets scared, and goes to confront Bo at his home, and Bo kills him. This doesn't sit well with Yayo's uncle, Mr. Escobar, who demands full repayment from Bo. 

      Karen, at the same time, begins to warm to Chili, and decides that she wants to help make the new movie. To this end, she leads Chili to her former husband, actor Martin Weir, to take on a role in the new movie. Martin, intrigued by Chili's movie pitch, agrees to star in the movie. Bo, jealous of Harry and Chili's connection, offers to use the locker money as a new investment, and suggests Chili collect it from the locker. Bo also introduces Chili to his bodyguard, a former stuntman named Bear. Chili heads to the collect the locker money, but senses a DEA trap and fakes the agents out and confirms the money IS in the locker. 

      Meanwhile, Bones has arrived in Los Angeles to collect the money he's owed from DeVoe, and pay back a telephone insult from Harry. But, when Ronnie interrupts the tense meeting between Bones and Harry, Bones shoots Ronnie dead. At the same time, Bear has a change of heart about killing Chili for Bo, but Bo threatens both Bear and his daughter. Chili and Karen, meanwhile,  give in to their mutual attraction, and invite Harry out to lunch to meet with Martin.

      Desperate, Bo kidnaps Karen and forces him to hand over DeVoe's money, which Chili does hand over. But, when Bo orders Bear to beat Chili to death, Bear instead leads Bo to a loosened railing, causing Bo to fall for his death. Bones, meanwhile, attempts to collect the locker money, after being told about it by Chili, and is arrested by the DEA. Some time later, production on the new movie Get Leo is underway, with Chili and Karen producing, and Martin starring. And, Chili and Karen argue with Martin's agent about another role he's "too short" for. 

      Get Shorty is a genuinely irreverent crime comedy. The idea of a loan shark getting into the movie business is certainly an interesting one. And, the concept is truly elevated by the brilliant acting on display by the film's cast. John Travolta is absolutely fantastic as Chili Palmer, with both Rene Russo as Karen Flores and Gene Hackman as Harry Zimm being standouts. And, for his limited screentime, I thoroughly enjoyed Danny DeVito as Martin Weir. The rest of the cast, such as Delroy Lindo as Bo, Jon Gries as Ronnie, James Gandolfini as Bear, and Dennis Farima as Bones, are all fantastic. And, a long with the Addams Family and Men in Black movies, I find Get Shorty to be one of director Barry Sonnenfeld's most enjoyable and entertaining movies. 

      Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you in the next review.