Parents' Guide to

Get Shorty

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Book-inspired crime comedy series is violent but entertains.

TV Epix Drama 2017
Get Shorty Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Bhhy
Bhhy Adult
March 27, 2019
age 2+

Great

It has great humor for all ages and has great roll models like Danny deveto

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Robert E. Wilson
Robert E. Wilson Adult
March 27, 2019
age 18+

Kills me inside

This is the definition of the phrase "attacks the senses". Horrifying and scarring.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Inspired by Elmore Leonard's best-selling novel of the same name, the Epix series GET SHORTY follows Miles Daly (played by Chris O'Dowd), who's looking for something more in life than working for a Nevada crime ring. Daly, along with Louis Darnell (Sean Bridgers), is the the muscle for a group of violent gangsters headed up by casino owner Amara de Escalones (Lidia Porto) and her nephew, Yago (Goya Robles). After unexpectedly coming across a script, he cooks up a money laundering scheme that will allow him to produce a film with washed-up Hollywood producer Rick Moreweather (Ray Romano). It's complicated and dangerous, but Daly sees this as an opportunity to rebuild his relationship with his estranged wife, Katie (Lucy Walters), and spend more time with his his daughter, 12-year-old Emma, aka "Shorty" (Carolyn Dodd), while giving his life renewed meaning.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like the popular 1995 movie, this well-written and expertly produced book adaptation tells an entertaining story filled with dark humor. But the series' episodic format allows for a richer and more nuanced narrative, which works well with the more contemporary setting.

The content is edgier than in the film version. Nonetheless, chances are that fans of the now classic film will probably appreciate what this version of Get Shorty has to offer. But there's no doubt that the overall series will attract a new audience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about adapting books to become movies and TV series. What do you think the challenges would be? What can you accomplish on TV versus film? Do you think this version of Get Shorty is a good adaptation?

  • This version of Get Shorty has a more diverse cast than the one in the film. Why? How does this impact the overall story?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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