Get Shorty Collector’s Edition

By: The Dweeb

March 2005

DVD Features Video: 1.85:1 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, French  Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Disc One Feature Film Audio commentary by director Barry Sonnefeld Disc Two “Get Shorty: Look at Me” featurette. “Get Shorty: Wiseguys and Dolls” featurette “The Graveyard Scene” featurette Deleted Graveyard Scene Going Again: Outtakes Get Shorty Party Reel Bravo page-to-screen Look at Get Shorty A Sneak peak at Be Cool Theatrical release: 10/20/1995 DVD released on 2/22/2005 by MGM Running time of 105  minutes Starring: Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, John Travolta Director: Barry Sonnenfeld Plot: Loan shark Chili Palmer is bored with the business. So when he arrives in L.A. to collect a debt from down and out filmmaker Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), Chili talks tough.. and then pitches Harry a script idea. Immediately, Chili is swept into the Hollywood scene: He schmoozes film star Martin Weir (Danny Devito), romances B-movie queen Karen Flores (Rene Russo) and even gets reservations at the hottest restaurants in town. In fact, all would be smooth for this cool new producer, if it weren’t for the drug smugglers and the angry mobster who won’t leave him alone!

After appearing in the highly influential film Pulp Fiction, that helped define filmmaking for the next decade, what does one do for an encore? Why, star in another gangster film but this time a comedy. If Fiction was Travolta’s come back film, Get Shorty solidified his star status, and he’s been in one project after another ever since.

What is not to like about a film like this? An adaptation of an Elmore Leonard book, director Barry Sonnenfeld carefully crafts together the great characters, rich dialogue and well placed timing for the humor to make quite the charming little film. Get Shorty is a film that doesn’t hesitate to make fun of the mafioso stereotype, and jab at the quirkiness that is Hollywood itself. The striking similarity between being a gangster and working in Hollywood is at the heart of the movie. “What is the point of living in L.A. if you’re not in the movie business?” as Bo said. Its a film that is as refreshing today as when it came out 10 years ago.

As I stated earlier, what makes this movie is the characters, helped by an excellent script with rich dialogue. The actors were really given a lot to work with and you can tell they seemed to enjoy playing some of these nuts. John Travolta as Chili Palmer is of course excellent, probably one of his best roles ever, which he originally turned down the offer until Tarantino straightened him out. “Sometimes you do your best work with a gun to your head.” He was able to maintain the nice guy puppy dog image but when it came down to business his piercing eyes said it all. “Look at me.” Charming, cute and a badass all in one package, what’s not to like? As the main character, John pulled it off well and then some.

The rest of the cast also puts in some great performances. Gene Hackman’s Harry Zimm, a really dumb guy down on his luck was my favorite. That guy couldn’t do anything right, and he was so naive! You wonder how people like this ever get through the day. My next favorite is Ray ‘Bones’ Barboni, played by the venerable Dennis Farina. You gotta love this guy, the gangster parody is hilarious. Every other word out of his mouth begins with an F, and he’s a complete dickwad in a pink sport coat. All he wants is some respect from Chili, who ends up breaking his nose and shooting him. Each time the tough guy Bones turns into a whining little sissy.

There was a previous incarnation of Get Shorty on the DVD format, rather lackluster too. For the release of the sequel Be Cool MGM decided to do the right thing and release this version, a big improvement. The transfer is very well done with excellent sound and picture. I’ve always been a fan of the soundtrack and you can hear it on this DVD in all its glory (My wife can’t stand it by the way.) The second disc is chock full of lengthy extras, much of it overlaps but its a combination of new and old promotional material. The deleted scene at the movie set is fun to watch, a shame it ended up on the cutting room floor. The outtakes are also a hoot, and there are plenty of interviews with all the principles involved in the film. This DVD is a worthwhile addition to your DVD shelf.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!