--- title: "Get Shorty: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/get-shorty/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/get-shorty" critics_score: 80 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Get Shorty (1995): what the critics said Critics' score 80 from 12 reviews: 11 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 4/4. 20 October 1995. The critic praises the film as a small jewel and a smart, funny satire that moves effortlessly between crime and Hollywood. He singles out the sharp, authentic Elmore Leonard dialogue as the soul of the story. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/get-shorty-1995) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Hunter Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 6 October 1995. The review hails 'Get Shorty' as a major winner and outstanding adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel with a perfect cast, great script, and talented director. It singles out the snappy dialogue kept by screenwriter Scott Frank and the brilliant, humorous performances, especially Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/get-shorty-review-movie-1995-1248374/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 October 1995. The film is a clever Hollywood satire with an enlightened sense of fun and a terrific ensemble cast. Travolta delivers a suave, unflappable performance as the no-baloney hero Chili Palmer that anchors the irreverent comedy. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/20/movies/film-review-a-hollywood-innocent-who-s-anything-but.html) ## Empire — Andrew Collins Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic highlights the film's wise-guy humor inspired by Reservoir Dogs and Travolta's commanding, charismatic lead performance as Chili Palmer. It singles out the engaging Tinseltown satire and Sonnenfeld's stylish visuals for praise, deeming the film likeable, original and a strong Leonard adaptation. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/get-shorty-review/) ## Radio Times — Adrian Turner Rating 4/5. This adaptation explores Hollywood's links to organised crime as Travolta's gangster imports his methods into movie production. The performances are exquisite, with Travolta charming yet menacing, DeVito perfect as an egotistical star, and Hackman delightful. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-2yrlvm/get-shorty/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 February 2025. The critic finds the film an enjoyable noirish satire and pure pastiche of Hollywood, noting its self-aware humour and how it spoofs the movie business while celebrating it. Travolta's charismatic, street-smart lead performance is singled out for particular praise, alongside the strong ensemble cast and the film's witty, hard-boiled delivery. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/feb/19/get-shorty-a-madcap-loving-spoof-of-the-film-biz) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The film adapts Elmore Leonard's novel closely, capturing its comedy of manners through sharp dialogue and character interplay as a Miami loan shark navigates Hollywood. It is breezy and sophisticated, capitalising on Travolta's low-key charisma with snappy scoring and editing. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/get-shorty) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 October 1995. This is light, witty comedy in an amoral setting that benefits enormously from Travolta's charming, star-making turn as the cool-headed Chili. The film is an amiable diversion that re-creates Leonard's verbal style without knocking anyone out. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-20-ca-59002-story.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 October 1995. The adaptation is good sly fun with a dazzling Travolta performance and strong supporting cast that captures the quirky literary quality of Leonard's novel. Sonnenfeld establishes a distinctive tone but the action stays on the same plane without dramatic highs. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/get-shorty-2-1200443536/) ## The New Yorker — Terrence Rafferty Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 1995. The movie succeeds thanks to Travolta's cool, graceful portrayal of the unflappable Chili Palmer, who embodies Leonard's dry comic tone. Sonnenfeld's broad, cartoony direction and heavy-handed gags fail to capture the novel's subtle ironies. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/10/23/players-2) ## Collider — Tom Reimann Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 October 2020. The critic calls Get Shorty the best Elmore Leonard adaptation and one of the best crime comedies ever made. They single out the incredible ensemble cast, particularly the supporting performances by Dennis Farina, Gene Hackman, Delroy Lindo, James Gandolfini, and Danny DeVito, for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/get-shorty-john-travolta/) ## Eye for Film — The Dude Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2005. The critic praises the film's great story, cast, and talent, highlighting Travolta's cool delivery and strong supporting turns from Hackman, Russo, and DeVito as standout elements that make it worth owning. Minor notes include dated music and occasionally transparent Hollywood satire. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/get-shorty-film-review-by-the-dude) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/get-shorty.md