Get Shorty

I won't give this a ten, since they could still fumble his up. But. One season in, 8 episodes, 7 hours 20 minutes in, and we have 2017's best new series. I came in this with no expectations, and this little show has been a constant joy and a must-see/top-of-the-pile amongst all Sunday shows.

Sure there was this nice little movie from the mid 90ies based on the same Leonard story, but this is next level : great if not amazing acting from underused actors, great balance between dark comedy and lightness, mostly acceptable violence, very cool and unusual characters, the plot constantly surprises with supposedly great ideas systematically getting south, etc... It's quirky, entertaining, extremely well acted (Sean Bridgers is getting the role of his life with his mormon hired hand assassin turned on-stage screen writer!), charming, and it always leaves you wanting for more. Also, there's no character that is really annoying, and there's a variety of them.

Along with The Deuce and the Handsmaid Tale, the best new show I've seen all year, and maybe the best show of them all, at the very least the one that I look the most forward returning.

Edit (fall 2018) : I did give it a ten after second season, since this is The best show around these days, absolutely. Season two starts a lttle slower, but soon catches up, and even manages to give the show a very satisfying conclusion , despite that it was announced this was getting a third season. They probably weren't sure this was a done deal and wrote it as if it was the final episode, with open ended threads. Hope they keep on the same level.

Getting towards the late summer end of year, there's almost nothing worth watching of quality. Except this gem. Superb casting and throughly enjoyable story with lots of quirky humour.

Chris O'Dowd is superb as the movie obsessed thug trying to make his way in that other cess pool of deceit and treachery called Hollywood.

But I leave my applause for Ray Romano living a duplicitous life with the vicious drug dealing matriarch of the crime gang. As the producer of trashy B movies he's living in his own real life version of the trash he sells. A different drug for the masses. But he shows his vulnerable side by actually liking his murderous girlfriend and having some morals and ethics. Satire!

It's a great show. The only other show that's equally entertaining at the moment is Better Call Saul (BCS). I might even rate this slightly above BCS. If Queen of the South with a somewhat similar female led drug gang, was a tragi-comedy, while a great show in itself, would not even get close to Get Shorty.

I've given it an 8 as we're only a few episodes into Season 2. If it keeps going this way, I would be reviewing at 9+.

Get Shorty is a brilliant show. The characters are very well written, and this is supported by the fantastic cast. Chris O'Dowd does a great job of conveying a man willing to change but getting continuously dragged back into a life of crime. The show crafts fascinating characters who all have their own interesting backstories and quirks. A character that particularly interests me is Amara De Escalones: a female crime boss that is masterfully portrayed by Lidia Porto. It is refreshing to see a female antagonist written and portrayed in such an original way.

The storylines that unfold throughout the first series of Get Shorty are compelling. The relatable nature of the characters, interwoven with the commentary on the film industry is perfect! The comedic elements also work nicely to cement these two unlikely components. I similarly like the crime genre style of the series which pays homage to other films such as Pulp Fiction. One of my favourite storylines follows the character Louis Darnell, played by Sean Bridgers. I like this character and his storylines because I find the moral conscience and humour of the character, combined with his interactions between O'Dowd's character, to be very intriguing.

Overall, I would highly recommend Get Shorty as the series is a pertinent statement of the film industry wrapped up in a television series which is well written, directed and acted. I would give the series 8 out of 10. I look forward to seeing the character arcs progress in the follow up series which I will be watching.

Get Shorty was so much better than expected. This show surprised me as much as any show I've ever seen. I just want expecting to like it as much as I did. It's about an enforcer with the mob who goes to Hollywood and becomes a movie producer. He uses his skills as a mob enforcer to get things done in Hollywood. He falls in love with the job and wants to find a way out of the mob. It proves to be a lot more difficult that he anticipates. Chris O'Dowd is absolutely terrific in the lead role. This show really is one of the more underrated shows of the last 10yrs. It has everything you want in a great show...comedy, action, drama, mystery, etc. All 3 seasons are incredible. I can't recommend this show enough! If you haven't seen it do yourself a favor and go watch it as soon as possible.

I couldn't find anything else to watch Sunday evening, and saw this being advertised on Epix, and gave it a look. It was the first series episode named: "The Pitch".

I was drawn into this show slowly, but solidly, to the point where I couldn't leave the TV to use the restroom, or get something to eat until the last bell had rung. It was truly the best series opener by a network other than HBO, I personally have ever viewed.

Chris O'Dowd has found a home here as the mobster with a lot more on the ball than your everyday hit-man. The rest of the cast is perfect, along with the cinematography, directing, and locations.

If this show picks up an audience, I feel sorry for HBO come award season.

Put aside an hour and give this a look. I am extremely confident you will be very happy you did, and you'll be looking forward to the next episode as much as I am.