GET SHORTY (1995)
Review by Simon Doherty
Director Barry Sonnenfeld in now best known for the blockbuster Men in Black, but previously his biggest hit was this slick comedy. John Travolta plays Chilli Palmer, a loan shark with an idea for a movie that he's pitching to washed up producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman). However, Zimm has blown money gambling that he owes to shady character Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo). We also meet actress Karen Flores (Rene Russo), the ex-wife of Hollywood star Martin Weir (Danny DeVito), who Chilli wants to be in his film.
Get Shorty is based on an Elmore Leonard book, and was the first film to successfully evoke the author's cool, witty style. It has since been joined by Jackie Brown and Out of Sight as the best Leonard adaptations, although Get Shorty is closer to the upbeat Out of Sight than the slower, more thoughtful Jackie Brown. The story is convoluted, and it becomes tricky to remember who owes money to whom as the many characters flit across the screen. However, the plot is largely irrelevant, the film being driven by the snappy dialogue and excellent acting. Travolta consolidated his comeback after Pulp Fiction, creating a charismatic character with understated menace. Hackman is as good as always, and Dennis Farina steals the film as Ray ‘Bones' Barboni, Palmer's underworld boss, who delivers many of the funniest moments (‘Don't puke on my shoes, Harry'). DeVito also relishes the chance to send up his own image. The screenplay draws the characters sharply and makes them all entertaining, a considerable achievement given that most of them are pretty unpleasant people. Sonnenfeld also gets credit for this; he keeps the tone light even during the violence. He also gets the pacing just right, keeping the viewer absorbed whilst developing the characters fully. Unusually for a Hollywood film, the ending avoids tying up too many loose ends, keeping it at a tight 105 minutes. It also enables the movie to finish with a memorable final image.
Get Shorty epitomises cool 90's film-making; fast talking, stylish characters, knowing references to real life movies and actors, and a funky soundtrack by John Lurie that fits the mood perfectly. Definitely recommended if you liked Pulp Fiction, Scream or Out of Sight, and the plot vagaries also make a second viewing worthwhile.
8/10
simon.doherty@btinternet.com
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