Get Shorty (released in theaters on October 20, 1995) remains the gold standard for Elmore Leonard adaptations, perfectly capturing the author’s signature blend of low-life criminal grit and high-brow wit. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the film arrived at the peak of John Travolta’s post-Pulp Fiction resurgence, utilizing his effortless cool to bridge the gap between the underworld of Miami and the equally cutthroat corridors of Hollywood. It is a stylish, self-aware comedy that argues that being a successful movie producer isn’t much different from being a loan shark—you just have to know how to talk.
Chili Palmer (Travolta) is a Miami loan shark and cinephile who finds himself in Los Angeles to collect a debt from a dry cleaner who faked his own death (David Paymer).
While there, Chili breaks into a home to collect another debt from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), a producer of low-budget schlock horror films.
However, instead of breaking Harry’s legs, Chili finds himself pitching a movie idea based on his own experiences in the mob.
Chili quickly realizes that his skills as a “shylock”—negotiating, intimidating, and maintaining a cool head—make him a natural in the film industry.
He sets his sights on a prestigious script and courts Karen Flores (Rene Russo), a B-movie scream queen who becomes his partner in both business and romance.
To make the movie a hit, they need the involvement of Martin Weir (Danny DeVito), a diminutive, ego-driven superstar.
The production is complicated by Chili’s past, as his short-tempered Miami boss Ray “Bones” Barboni (Dennis Farina) comes looking for him.
Meanwhile, local L.A. drug kingpin Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo), his partner Ronnie (Jon Gries) and his muscle, Bear (James Gandolfini), are also trying to muscle into Harry’s business by investing in his next movie.
Bette Midler, Renee Props, Alex Rocco and Miguel Sandoval each have supporting roles.
Harvey Keitel and Penny Marshall have cameos as themselves.
Get Shorty follows Chili as he effortlessly outmaneuvers both the gangsters and the studio executives to prove that in Hollywood, the most dangerous man in the room is the one who’s seen the most movies.
John Travolta and Gene Hackman in Get Shorty (Photo/MGM-UA)
Reception for Get Shorty
Get Shorty grossed $12.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film would remain atop the box office for its first three weeks and in the top 10 for eight weeks en route to grossing $115.1 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Get Shorty three and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Get Shorty‘s legacy is its masterful tonal balance, proving that a crime film could be genuinely funny without losing its edge.
The film is celebrated for its whip-smart dialogue and its insider’s look at the absurdity of the film industry, a theme that has inspired countless satires since.
By making Chili Palmer a hero who relies on his intellect and composure rather than just violence, the film redefined the “cool” protagonist for the 1990s.
It was a critical and commercial smash that led to a sequel and a later television adaptation, cementing Elmore Leonard’s cinematic voice as a staple of modern pop culture.
Today, it remains a beloved classic of the genre, appreciated for its smooth direction, its iconic soundtrack, and its cynical yet affectionate take on the magic—and the madness—of the movies.
