Get Shorty - Movie Review

Chili Palmer is a Miami-based loan collector for the mob trying to collect a gambling debt. His assignment takes him to Hollywood to collect money from Harry Zimm, a mildly sleazy producer of low-budget horror movies. Although Chili intends to hurt Harry if necessary, he takes a certain liking to him and an even keener interest in Karen, Harry's girlfriend, whom Chili recognizes from Harry's grade-B monster epics. It seems Harry has a script that he feels is Academy Award material, and he could get the project off the ground if he could get the right actor for the lead - say, the well-respected but egocentric (and diminutive) Martin Weir. Chili thinks he has a feel for the movie business and decides to see what he can do to persuade Weir to get behind the project. Chili soon finds himself hip deep in the film industry, which at least puts him in contact with a higher grade of scumbags than he's used to. But Chili isn't the only criminal Harry's been dealing with; he's been obtaining financing from Bo Catlett, a drug dealer with a highly uncertain temperament.

Yes, I'm probably the last person to have seen this movie (it was released 11 years ago), but I wanted to see Be Cool which was the sequel released 10 years after the original, so I watched this one first. John Travolta was made for this part - he's super cool and never gets frazzled under pressure. He was able to make a ruthless gangster seem likeable and you end up rooting for him. The supporting cast was top notch and created a tense, yet comical, atmosphere throughout the film. Of course, Danny DeVito is funny just looking at him, so it was pretty easy to laugh at him playing a high and mighty, arrogant actor. The plot was original, dramatic and funny, but not very captivating. Overall, I enjoyed it but didn't think it was the classic some people do.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: No
Starring: John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito

I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.