On its face, “Get Shorty” wasn’t the kind of movie a 16 year old me would want to watch. While the cast is legendary now, John Travolta’s career had just been revived in “Pulp Fiction”, and while Rene Russo, Gene Hackman, and Danny Devito were cool, I wasn’t exactly in their demo.

But the film, which turns 30 this year and is available to watch on Amazon Prime now, is just so well written, that it can’t be denied.

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Travolta stars as Chili Palmer. A gangster who has always loved the movie business, but finally gets a chance to get in the game when he has to collect a debt in Hollywood. When he’s there, he meets director Harry Zimm (Hackman), actress Karen Flores (Russo), and diva star Martin Weir (Danny DeVito), but his mob life also follows him along the way. He also gets in a feud with fellow gangster played by Delroy Lindo, who is actually the big bad of the movie.

The dialog is sensational. Everyone gets to “eat” with Palmer’s “Look at me” line leading the way. We’ve also got a pair of late and great legends in Dennis Farina and James Gandolfini years before “The Sopranos”.

If I had to knock the film, it would have to be that the dialog is pretty sharp, even if it’s 30 years old. But the obscure references and approach could throw off someone if they’re not on the same wavelength. My 16 year old self didn’t enjoy it as much as I do now.

Otherwise, “Get Short” is still an awesome comedy that knows how to arrange a talented ensemble.

Get Shorty:

1995 Grade: C+

2005 Grade: A

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