Resurgent Travolta brings style, charm to lackluster Get Shorty

Get Shorty is a comedy about Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who is a movie fanatic. Played by John Travolta, Palmer decides to become a producer/director and get out of the tough-guy business. He originally goes to Hollywood to find someone who has stolen some money from his boss's boss, but gets distracted by his movie star aspirations.

Along the way, Palmer interacts with movie producer Harry Zimm, played by Gene Hackman, who owes money to another group of loan sharks. Palmer promises to intimidate them in exchange for a buy into the production of one of Zimm's films. Chili swears to enlist Martin Weir (Danny Devito) for the lead role. After meeting with Palmer, Weir becomes intrigued with the role and promises to play it.

There are some good comedic scenes in the film. In one scene, Palmer's boss (Dennis Farina), who he does not like, takes his leather coat from a coat-holder's office at the opera. Palmer asks the attendant where his coat is. The attendant replies, "Your boss took it." Palmer then goes to Farina's apartment, and when the door opens, punches Farina in the nose, walks into the apartment and retrieves his coat. Ba-dum-ching.

Travolta brings his usual style to the role of Chili Palmer. In several scenes his character shows he has superior skill and speed for fighting, but he doesn't flaunt it. Travolta is convincing in the role and gives the viewer a sense that his character has wit and intelligence.

What's lacking in this film is the suspense of not knowing what is going to happen to one of the main characters and the miscasting of good actors in roles where they do not belong. Devito, who has starred in some hilariously funny films, was not a major source of humor in the film. Perhaps this was done so that his role would not overshadow Travolta's lead. However, the effect is that Devito seems a bit out of character in the role. Either his character did not have the same obnoxiousness as Devito's usual roles or the story did not get close enough to his character.

Overall, the movie lacks vigor. Not enough effort was taken to develop either the humor or the action. Plus, the plot lacks conflict and tension; there is never a point in the film where the viewer wonders if Palmer will succeed. He always has the upper hand and this detracts from the conflict which is needed in a good film.