This slick adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1990 novel features John Travolta as Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who's been sent to L.A. to collect on a bad debt from trash movie producer Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), the maker of the stunning flops "Grotesque" and "Slime People." But this is Harry's lucky day, because Chili is also a film buff, and when he's done talking tough he starts pitching Harry a script idea. As everyone knows, the best background for the motion picture industry is the criminal underworld, and Chili is smoothly launched into the life of a producer: romancing a B-movie scream queen, schmoozing superstars, getting reservations in the hottest restaurants in town. However, Chili's not the only mobster wanting to turn producer. It seems that a thug named Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo), another of Harry's lenders, also wants a piece of the action. Add in a group of angry drug smugglers and there is an abundance of double- and triple-crosses, as well as plenty of wisecracks and Hollywood insider jokes. GET SHORTY crosses the line of life imitating art--and vice versa--many times, including the real Ernest "Chili" Palmer (on whom the character is based) playing a Mafia henchman. Barry Sonnenfeld's entertaining romp is a wild look at the celebrity life in Hollywood, featuring numerous cameos of stars playing themselves.

Loan shark Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is ready for a new career, so when he's sent to L.A. to collect on a bad debt from trash filmmaker Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman), he decides to get into the movie industry. The skills Chili learned in the criminal underworld launch his successful start as a film producer: schmoozing superstars, romancing B-movie bimbos, actually getting reservations at the hottest restaurants in town. It would all be easy for Chili if it weren't for the angry gangsters and the drug smugglers who keep getting in the way.

Theatrical release: October 20, 1995.

The real-life Ernest "Chilli" Palmer (on whom the lead character is based) plays a bit part in the film as one of Bones's buddies.

The film grossed $68.8 million domestically.

Continuity error: After Chili's bag is searched at the airport, he carefully repacks it and then leaves the room without it.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
2-Disc Set
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
5.1 Dolby Surround - English
5.1 Surround - French
Stereo Surround - Spanish
Subtitles - English - Optional
Subtitles - French - Optional
Subtitles - Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Outtakes - 1.DANNY'S NO-CUT DAY
Audio Commentary - 1. Barry Sonnenfeld - Director, Producer
Behind-the-Scenes Footage - 1. GET SHORTY Party Reel
Featurette - 1. GET SHORTY: LOOK AT ME
2. GET SHORTY: WISEGUYS AND DOLLS
3. DELETED GRAVEYARD SCENES
4: PAGE TO SCREEN OF GET SHORTY Bravo Special
Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. Bonus Trailer - BE COOL
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Gallery

John Travolta: American actor, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Rene Russo: American Actress/Model
Gene Hackman: American Actor
Danny DeVito: American Actor/Director, HOFFA (1992)
Delroy Lindo: American Supporting Actor
Dennis Farina: American TV/Film Actor, CRIME STORY (1985)
James Gandolfini: American Italian Actor, THE SOPRANOS
David Paymer: American Supporting Actor

Barry Sonnenfeld: American Director of Photography/Director

"...Elmore Leonard's deliciously profane dialogue gives a great cast, led by John Travolta, a feast to dine upon....GET SHORTY gets it wonderfully right..."
"...GET SHORTY is certainly entertaining..."
"...Sizzling supporting performances by Dennis Farina and Delroy Lindo....[Travolta] oozes cool without breaking a sweat..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
"...All the elements finally jelled, goosed by a terrific John Travolta performance..." -- Rating: A-
"...GET SHORTY is good, sly fun. With John Travolta putting on a dazzling demonstration of what being a movie star is all about..."
"...The film does a good job with the book's gentle digs at the inane way the movie business tends to function..."
"...A small jewel..."
"[A] faithful adaptation of Elmore Leonard for a change....Memorable."