Get Shorty

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Get Shorty

R

Released Oct 20, 1995

1h 45m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

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57 Reviews

70%

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50,000+ Ratings

Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is a Miami mobster who gets sent by his boss, the psychopathic Bones Barboni (Dennis Farina), to collect a bad debt from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), a Hollywood producer who specializes in cheesy horror films. When Chili meets Harry's leading lady (Rene Russo), the romantic sparks fly. After pitching his own life story as a movie idea, Chili learns that being a mobster and being a Hollywood producer really aren't all that different.

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Critics Consensus

With a perfect cast and a sly twist on the usual Hollywood gangster dynamic, Get Shorty delivers a sharp satire that doubles as an entertaining comedy-thriller in its own right.

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David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

How cool can a mere movie be? A perfect cast and great script, based on a hilariously witty best seller, are key elements. When you add a talented director and let the magic of Hollywood take over, the result is Get Shorty.

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Manohla Dargis

Spin

Like the Elmore Leonard novel it adapts, Get Shorty is fast, very funny, minorly caustic, and about as consequential and lasting as the movies Chili himself tries to green-light.

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Carol Buckland

CNN.com

It's terrifically entertaining.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Margaret A. McGurk

Cincinnati Enquirer

DeVito's wicked version of a self-absorbed superstar is worth the price of admission alone.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 19, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The screenplay is brilliant (based on the novel by Elmore Leonard), interweaving fast-paced dialogue with sharp editing and plenty of humor.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 13, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Get Shorty - for all its critical and commercial acclaim - has never received its due as one of the funniest Hollywood films of modern times.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 12, 2019

Full Review

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Matheus F

John Travolta is superb as Chili Palmer. I love many DeVito's projects of the 90s, and Get Shorty is easily one of them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/25

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Larry K

Good story and a stacked cast

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Todd B

One of the better ensemble comedies out there. Travolta is great as an everyman cool-guy loan shark. Also one of the few books that nailed the book. The best Elmore Leonard movie, IMO.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1.75 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $68,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Nano N

All star cast. Mob nastiness meets Hollywood nastiness. Travolta the coolest.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I watched this movie for the second time after the passing of Gene Hackman and rediscovered his subtle but solid comedic abilities as a movie producer who is in trouble for his gambling debts. This is a very easy to watch and thoroughly enjoyable movie about a loanshark played by Travolta who aspires to becoming a producer. James Gandolfini is a has been stunt guy who is also a Dad and is acting as a clumsy muscle man for a con who also wants to be a producer. There isn't a lot of laugh out loud or physical comedy here. Just a lot of ironic situational comedy that will play out like a delicious seven course meal all the way to the end.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

Full Review

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Barry Sonnenfeld

Director

John Travolta

Chili Palmer

Gene Hackman

Harry Zimm

Rene Russo

Karen Flores

Danny DeVito

Martin Weir

Dennis Farina

Ray 'Bones' Barboni

Get Shorty: Official Clip - Chili Surprises Harry

2:23

Get Shorty: Official Clip - E.g. vs. I.e.

1:55

Get Shorty: Official Clip - Chili and Bo Talk Screenwriting

2:12

Get Shorty: Official Clip - Martin's Motivation

2:23

Get Shorty: Official Clip - Making the Movie

1:33

Get Shorty: Official Clip - The Cadillac of Minivans

0:40

Get Shorty: Official Clip - Look at Me

2:49

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Synopsis

Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is a Miami mobster who gets sent by his boss, the psychopathic Bones Barboni (Dennis Farina), to collect a bad debt from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), a Hollywood producer who specializes in cheesy horror films. When Chili meets Harry's leading lady (Rene Russo), the romantic sparks fly. After pitching his own life story as a movie idea, Chili learns that being a mobster and being a Hollywood producer really aren't all that different.

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Producer: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Danny DeVito
Screenwriter: Elmore Leonard, Scott Frank
Production Co: Jersey Films, Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 21, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $68.8M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround

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