Get Shorty

This was a great kickoff to a new series that I'm confident will maintain the high bar set by its namesake, the film adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel "Get Shorty." That 1995 film remains one of my personal favorites, and the first episode of this new comedy was every bit as entertaining.

Chris O'Dowd is hilarious as a low-level mobster looking to do more with his life, and for his family. I only hope he can survive his efforts to extricate himself from his day job.

The initial writing is funny, and there are several interesting characters in the lineup. I can't wait to see how they develop the character of struggling TV Producer, Rick Moreland (Ray Romano). I'm sure his unlikely relationship with hit-man Miles Daly (O'Dowd) will leave him questioning his career choice.

It is shows like this that should be released as a full season, so we can binge watch it all the way through. I've already found myself checking the calendar anxious for the next installment.

Invest an hour of your time this week to On-Demand this first episode, and then block an hour on Sunday for the next. You will be glad you did.

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.

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.

I genuinely enjoyed watching the first three episodes of this series and am looking forward to the rest. The acting is spot on and the cinematography is very well done. Found myself laughing out loud more than once.

It's annoying that I have to watch it online but that is for another day.

Excellent writing - clever, sharp, black humour with a wonderful tender and terrifying performance by Chris O'Dowd