Get Shorty

Get Shorty (1995)

  • 86% of critics liked it
    (51 reviews)

  • 63% of users liked it
    (58,915 ratings)

A gangster is looking to get away from crooked deals and double-crossing people but ends up in the movie business anyway in this comic crime story. Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is a Miami-based loan collector for the mob trying to collect a gambling debt. His assignment takes him to Hollywood to… More

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R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By
Barry Sonnenfeld
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Oct 20, 1995 Wide
On DVD
Aug 27, 1997
MGM

Critic Reviews

  • David Ansen, Newsweek

    Hollywood has been in love with mobsters since the beginning of movies. But the other side of the equation has seldom been considered. That is, until now.

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    A drolly offbeat look at Hollywood mores dedicated to the proposition that the best preparation for becoming a film producer is a stint in the criminal underworld.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    An entertaining comedy-thriller adapted by Scott Frank from the Elmore Leonard best-seller and directed with bounce (if not much nuance) by Barry Sonnenfeld.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    It's part of the joke here that Chili is a die-hard cineaste and loves reminiscing about smart, stylish tough-guy films he has enjoyed. Get Shorty belongs on that list.

  • Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

    It's Travolta -- smooth, commanding, handsome as ever, a cool, rhythmic bop in his walk -- who owns the film.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • moon r


    Miami gangster and film buff discovers Hollywood work is not that much different than work in the Mob, thank goodness. Travolta has fun playing a mobster who's playing a mobster ("... like inna movies!") who's dream is to play a movie mobster ("... like… More

  • Melvin W


    Chili Palmer: Rough business, this movie business. I'm gonna have to go back to loan-sharking just to take a rest. After watching Get Shorty it seems like it should have been great. The story is there and the cast is there but it never seems to amount to anything above average.… More

  • Dead A


    Liked the ending but the movie itself was not that entertaining.

  • Conner R


    Get Shorty is probably the best example of a Gangster Comedy that I can think of. It has a great plot, interesting and bizarre characters, but mostly it does what it promises to do. This is a genuinely funny movie that showcases its amazing cast of John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene… More

  • Shawn E


    I found this movie to be lacking in all aspects. Sure the acting was decent but it's still a boring film to be watched once, then never again.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Trailers & Clips