Plot
Chilli Palmer is a Miami based mobster working for mob boss Momo. When Momo dies, a rival mobster Ray “Bones” Barboni – who has beef with Palmer – orders him to collect the debt of a presumed dead associate Leo Devoe.
While on assignment, he discovers that another party Devoe owes money too, is also owed money from B grade movie producer Harry Zimm. Palmer, a movie buff is enamored by Zimm’s mistress, B movie queen Karen Flores – and tells them his idea for a movie.
The only problem is Zimm has his own financial struggles in his next project, as well as some drug dealers who have invested money… and Chilli thought the mob game was tough!
Direction
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who is predominately known for his more gothic looking films (Addams Family and Men In Black). He perfectly captures what can be assumed the vision that Elmore Leonard had – as this (presumably) exists in the same universe as Jackie Brown (and then Out of Sight).
Danny DeVito (who appears here) has also been a producer of Quentin Tarantino films (who directed Leonard’s other novel – Jackie Brown).
Cast
John Travolta plays Chilli, and he is in his prime here, and he has never been so cool (maybe in Pulp). He is able to play the charm of Chilli, while having the menacing force of a mobster you don’t want to cross.
Rene Russo, plays Karen Flores, and she is equal parts adorable as well as having the sex appeal needed for the role.
Dennis Farina plays Bones, and as always gave a great performance. He was truly one of the best actors around for these sorts of roles, and he’s still missed to this day.
Gene Hackman plays Zimm, in a rare comedic role.
Danny DeVito plays Martin Weir – the most famous actor in Hollywood (who everyone is trying to get a part of).
Delroy Lindo plays Bo, the leader of the drug dealers who is also trying to get into the movie business.
Other cast include James Gandolfini as Bear, David Paymer as Leo.
Uncredited cameos include Harvey Keitel, Penny Marshal, Alex Rocco, and Bette Middler.
Breakdown
Well written and conceived comedy – from the writer of Jackie Brown and Out of Sight (just to name a couple).
The film ties together the world of the Miami mafia, as well as a possible fictional take on how Hollywood films are produced, financed and made.
The main crux of the story is Chilli getting involved with Harry (Gene Hackman, showing his comedic talent in a rare comedy role), and Harry wanting to make a movie called Mr Lovejoy.
This sets in motion a series of disastrous events including two loan shark/drug dealers Bo and Ronnie (Delroy Lindo and Jon Gries), their ex stunt double, and loving dad bodyguard Bear (the late James Gandolfini), a suitcase with $300k of plane crash settlement money, and another $500k in an airport locker for Colombian drug dealers that the DEA is watching…. phew!
It “is” a little much at times, and I feel as if this was something that was a better read from the words of novelist Elmore Leonard, than what transpired onto film. That being said, I really enjoyed the film.
I really liked Travolta here, and think this is one of his better performances. He is always one actor who is “on assignment” when he plays a role, but he really sells the intensity of Chilli (even when he is teaching Danny DeVito’s ‘best actor alive’ how to be intimidating). He is also almost adorable at his love of movies (which helps Rene Russo’s Karen fall for him).
There is also more double crosses here than you can count on one finger, and Chilli is always one step ahead. I especially loved his moments with Gandolfini – whose character is really one of the only ones you really want to get to the end of the film (spoiler, he does).
I loved the cameos of several big names, such as Bette Middler, Harvey Kietel and Penny Marshal. The film also has a both “meta” Hollywood ending, before meta moments were a thing, and an actual Hollywood ending – but it works.
Overall
Fun mafia comedy, with some great performances from all the leads (especially the late great Hackman). One of my favourite performances by Travolta.
A bit much at times on screen, but thoroughly enjoyable.
4/5
