Get Shorty

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Get Shorty follows a charismatic mobster (John Travolta’s Chili Palmer) as he arrives in Los Angeles and quickly ingratiates himself with several Hollywood types (including Renee Russo’s Karen, Danny DeVito’s Martin, and Gene Hackman’s Harry). Filmmaker Sonnenfeld, armed with a script by Scott Frank, delivers a mostly watchable yet frustratingly hit-and-miss endeavor that never quite becomes as spellbinding or engrossing as one might’ve anticipated, and there’s little doubt that the movie’s arms-length feel is cultivated (and perpetuated) by an overwhelming, relentlessly dense narrative – with the all-plot atmosphere paving the way for a midsection that rarely, if ever, just breathes (ie it’s just so much dialogue, ultimately). It’s clear, then, that Get Shorty‘s mild success can be attributed to a smattering of engaging sequences (eg Chili teaches Martin how to stare menacingly) and the stellar efforts of its various performers, with, in terms of the latter, Travolta’s endlessly magnetic turn elevating the proceedings on a recurring basis and certainly matched by his myriad of talented costars. (Dennis Farina’s scene-stealing work as Chili’s nemesis remains an ongoing highlight, to be sure.) The end result is a decent-enough adaptation that generally feels like it could (and should) be better, which is a shame given the massive potential afforded by the stellar cast and promising setup.

**1/2 out of ****