Synopsis
Get Shorty follows Chili Palmer, a smooth-talking Miami loan shark who heads to Hollywood to collect a debt and becomes enthralled with the film industry. Using his street smarts and intimidating charm, he maneuvers through a world of struggling producers, B-movie actors, and real criminals to get his own movie made. The film is a sharp, witty crime comedy that satirizes Hollywood culture with style and humor.
Why Watch It
A mobster's collision with Hollywood exposes both worlds as equally corrupt, fueled by sharp dialogue and a cast having genuine fun with the material. John Travolta's charm and the ensemble's chemistry elevate what could have been a tired fish-out-of-water premise into something genuinely entertaining. Sonnenfeld's slick direction and the script's knowing humor about the movie industry make it a wickedly entertaining time capsule of '90s cool.
Did You Know?
- Based on Elmore Leonard's 1990 novel of the same name.
- John Travolta's role helped revive his career after Pulp Fiction.
- Gene Hackman improvised several of his comedic lines on set.
- Danny DeVito's character was originally written as a smaller role.
- The film was shot largely on location in Los Angeles.
Iconic Quotes
- 'Look at me.' - Chili Palmer
- 'I'm the one telling you how it is.' - Chili Palmer
- 'You think you got what it takes to be a producer? Well, so do I.' - Harry Zimm
- 'This is the movie business, not the loan shark business.' - Karen Flores
- 'F*** you, f***ety f***, f***.' - Chili Palmer
