Get Shorty (film)
| Get Shorty | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Barry Sonnenfeld |
| Produced by |
Danny DeVito Michael Shamberg Stacey Sher |
| Screenplay by | Scott Frank |
| Based on |
Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard |
| Starring |
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| Music by | John Lurie |
| Cinematography | Donald Peterman |
| Edited by | Jim Miller |
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Production
company |
Jersey Films
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| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
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Release date
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Running time
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105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Box office | $115 million |
Get Shorty is a 1995 American crime thriller comedy film based on Elmore Leonard's novel of the same name. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starring John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, and Danny DeVito, the plot remained true to the book except for a few minor details.
A sequel, titled Be Cool, was released in 2005.
Chili Palmer (Travolta), a loan shark based in Miami, clashes with another mobster, Ray "Bones" Barboni (Dennis Farina) over a stolen coat. They have several confrontations, one of which leaves Barboni with a broken nose. But after Palmer's boss, Momo, dies of a heart attack, he finds himself working for Barboni, whose first order is for Palmer to collect a debt owed by Leo Devoe (David Paymer). Devoe was believed to have been killed in a fatal commercial airliner crash, but had actually gotten off the plane, and failed to re-board. After the plane crash, Devoe's wife identified his personal effects, and the airline offered her a check for $300,000. Chili visits her and discovers Leo is still alive, partying in Las Vegas.
While in Vegas, Palmer picks up a job from a casino manager to collect a debt from B-movie producer Harry Zimm (Hackman). Palmer goes to Los Angeles and locates Zimm at the home of actress Karen Flores, breaking into her house. Zimm agrees to pay the money he owes in 90 days. Film fan Palmer then pitches an idea: a thinly veiled story of his own life, including the scam by Leo.
Zimm is interested, but he has financial problems: He owes $200,000 to drug dealer Bo Catlett, who also wants to be in the movie business. Palmer says he will help Zimm take care of it. Palmer tracks down Devoe and collects the $300,000 in insurance money. He hides it in an airport locker.
Palmer returns to Karen's house, where he asks Karen on a date. Karen is the ex-wife of actor Martin Weir (DeVito), which gives Palmer the idea that Weir should star in his movie. He and Karen go to Weir's home to pitch the story idea, Chili giving the actor tips on how to act like a loan shark.
Catlett comes to Zimm's office for a progress report about the film he is supposedly financing. Waiting for him there instead is Palmer, who tells Catlett that Zimm has a different project he needs to finish first. Catlett and his sidekick Ronnie proceed to threaten Zimm, saying they want their money back and to get rid of Palmer or else.
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Wikipedia