Preamble: OK, I promise this will be the last movie adapted from a book for a while (I'll just tell you that my toes are crossed right now. So just know this promise doesn't hold water but don't hold it against me, OK?). I wanted to review Be Cool which is a sequel of sorts to this movie for Day 2 but I decided this was actually the better movie of the two to discuss so here we are.

Get Shorty is a film based on a book of the same name by Elmore Leonard. I love Elmore Leonard books and especially his short stories. I actually didn't discover him until 2010 when the buzz for the Justified TV show on FX was causing a lot of buzz. Justified is a TV show based on one of Leonard's short stories "Fire In The Hole". I read that story, fell in love with his writing style and came to discover that one of my favorite movies just happened to be based on a book by, so hooray for happy coincidences.

I like this movie because it's fun, cool and stylish. It is also the epitome of the mid 90's both culturally and cinematically speaking. This isn't family friendly fare but it's not as coarse as you'd expect something with an R rating.
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Year: 1995

Rated: R

Summary - Chili Palmer is a Miami mobster who gets sent by his boss, the psychopathic "Bones" Barboni, to collect a bad debt from Harry Zimm, a Hollywood producer who specializes in cheesy horror films. When Chili meets Harry's leading lady, the romantic sparks fly. After pitching his own life story as a movie idea, Chili learns that being a mobster and being a Hollywood producer really aren't all that different.

Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

Screenplay by Scott Frank

Based on: Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard

Starring:

• John Travolta as Chili Palmer
• Gene Hackman as Harry Zimm
• Rene Russo as Karen Flores
• Danny DeVito as Martin Weir
• Dennis Farina as Ray "Bones" Barboni
• Bette Midler as Doris Saffrin
• Delroy Lindo as Bo Catlett
• James Gandolfini as Bear
• Jon Gries as Ronald "Ronnie" Wingate
• Renee Props as Nicki
• David Paymer as Leo Devoe
• Martin Ferrero as Tommy Carlo
• Miguel Sandoval as Mr. Escobar
• Jacob Vargas as Yayo Portillo
• Bobby Slayton as Dick Allen
• Linda Hart as Fay Devoe
• Ralph Manza as Fred the Barber

Cameos

• Harvey Keitel as himself
• Penny Marshall as herself
• Barry Sonnenfeld as the Beefeater doorman
• Alex Rocco appears as the gangster Jimmy Capp

The Review
This is one of those movies you just cant help but fall in love with and that's thanks in large part to the casting choices. This a true gem of a film that has high rewatchability and even though it's about 20 years old, it never feels dated at all. This movie provides tons of laughs and makes wonder what happened to THIS John Travolta. the plot is full of sharp turns, great actors, and visual skill. It is seriously a joy to watch.

This movie is stylish and slick and probably the best movie about movie making since The Player. The soundtrack is fun and hip (for the time). It's a rare movie they that allows almost all of the main cast to have witty dialogue and this movie does it effortlessly.

The only sad thing about this movie is when you are watching, all you can think is, 'Whatever happened to (insert any of the stars names here)?'

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Grade: B

Aces for Acting

• John Travolta

MVP

• Dennis Farina

Favorite Character

• Bob Catlett

Best Character Interactions

• Chili and Harry

Best Scene

• "Look At Me"

Notable Quotable

• Ray "Bones" Barboni: [after punching Leo's wife Faye in the face] I want us to be friends, Faye. And we all know that friends don't hit each other... unless they have to.

Most Memorable Moment
I'm Ray Barboni from Miami

Fun Facts

• When the filmmakers found out from Leonard that there was a real "Chili" Palmer, they gave him a bit part in the film.
• Get Shorty remained #1 for three consecutive weeks before being overtaken by Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995 was a strange year for American cinema).
• For his role as Chili Palmer, John Travolta received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

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Did I whet your appetite to watch Get Shorty for the first time or maybe just the first time in a long time?

Be sure to come back tomorrow when I discuss Highlander.

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