Get Shorty

Barry Sonenfeld, USA 1995, 105 minutes

Another milestone in the Travolta comeback, this crimethriller film echoes its main man in its assuredness, the confidence with which it breezes along. The end product: A revitalised career for Travolta and one of the most enjoyable comedies of '95 for us.

The story is taken directly from the novel by writer Elmore Leonard, almost completely faithfully at times and we can thank our lucky stars for what a glorious story it is too. Loan shark Chili Plamer (Travolta) is sent to L.A. to put the squeeze on B-movie master Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman). He ends up pitching his own plot and script to Zimm however and in return for a intro to Hollywood he takes on Zimm's creditors andpromises not to break his legs. In Palmer's master plan, he requires a star for his movie and with the help of Zimm he turns to Bmovie star Karen Flores (Rene Russo) through whom he finds Martin Weir (Danny Devto). Travolta proceeds to persuade him, gangster style, to join his team.

Despite the obvious physicality of this film the real shining light comes from the dialogue with Travolta getting the best of it. While this could be directly attributed to Leonard himself it is the ease with which the characters suit the lines and the way in which the lines are delivered as if they were second nature that makes the film so appealing. All the stars look as if they were born to the roles (Travolta especially looking far more at ease then in Pulp Fiction). The script is impeccable, locations sumptusously show, the acting superb and the whole premise stunning. It's a damn good way to spend an afternoon.

Review by Andrew Hesketh
Taken from EUFS Programme 1997-98