Get Shorty

What's the difference between the way of doing business in Hollywood and the mob? The mob has a code of ethics. This is revelation that ex-loan shark Chili Palmer discovers when he finds himself in the movie capitol of the world with the goal of becoming a producer. Based on the Elmore Leonard novel, this is one of the better post-Pulp Fiction "cool" movies about the underworld. The plot is complex, but the character a deliciously low life as is the semi-poetic dialogue (courtesy of Leonard) which at times harkens to the days of Raymond Chandler. John Travolta is cool and calculating as Palmer who gets involved with Gene Hackman, a producer of low budget B-horror films (the kind with which Palmer is familiar), as well as scream queen Rene Russo, movie star Danny DeVito, Miami mob boss Dennis Farina (in a wonderful performance), stunt man turned bodyguard James Gandolfini, Delroy Lindo, and the U.S. government. It mostly works well thanks primarily to the performances and the source material, and I have a feeling that director Barry Sonnenfeld was just smart enough leave things alone.