Rent Get Shorty on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Elmore Leonard (novel), Scott Frank (screenplay)
Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, Danny DeVito, John Travolta, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini, David Paymer
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt, and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job.
Verdict
It's a twisting gangster movie that uses Hollywood as a basis for comedy. Everyone has their own plans and traps, and we're wondering right up until the end who will get played. This is one of those movies that gets better the second time around, but it never feels as fun as it should be.
Skip it.
Review
While it predates Guy Ritchie's gangster movies, it's the same sub-genre of convoluted gangster movies. Ritchie's Snatch is one of the best examples.With this one, the convoluted story provides interest but doesn't do enough past that.
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| Rene Russo, John Travolta play Karen Flores, Chili Palmer |
The first few scenes establish Chili Palmer (John Travolta) as a no nonsense gangster that will punch a guy in the nose to get back his coat. Chili collects debts for a mobster and ends up in Hollywood which suits him well as he loves movies. It's his knowledge of movies that help him make friends and get into the production business. Chili goes from trying to collect a debt from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman) to planning a movie with him.
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| Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito play Harry Zimm, Martin Weir |
Chili is slick, the one guy in the middle of the plot pushing it forward and always coming out ahead. He's trying to make a movie and also dodge another set of debt collectors out for Zimm. Nearly everyone in this movie is out for money. Zimm and Chili hope they can get renowned actor Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) for their movie with the help of his ex-wife Karen (Rene Russo).
This pokes fun at Hollywood with a movie about the movie we're watching. It's a nice convoluted plot where everyone thinks they can get one over on someone else. This just doesn't do enough to stand out from the crowd. It's amusing but not all that funny. It's got a colorful cast of characters, but they just don't do enough.
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