“Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” (1995)

Drama

Running Time: 115 minutes

Written by: Scott Rosenberg

Directed by: Gary Fleder

Featuring: Andy García, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, Jack Warden, Steve Buscemi, Fairuza Balk, Gabrielle Anwar and Christopher Walken

Easy Wind: “Remember when you was a kid and you would spend the whole year waiting for summer vacation and when it finally came it would fly by just like that? It’s funny, Jimmy, life has a way of flying by faster than any old summer vacation really fucking does.”

Critical Commentary

“Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is a crime thriller film directed by Gary Fleder and released in 1995. The movie stars Andy Garcia as Jimmy the Saint, a retired gangster who is drawn back into the criminal underworld to help a friend. The movie also features an ensemble cast that includes Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, and Gabrielle Anwar.

The movie tells the story of Jimmy the Saint, who is given an ultimatum by a powerful mob boss named The Man with the Plan (played by Christopher Walken). The Man with the Plan wants Jimmy to complete one last job, or he will have Jimmy’s girlfriend killed. Jimmy assembles a team of eccentric criminals to help him complete the job, but things quickly go awry.

“Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” has a unique and quirky tone that sets it apart from other crime thrillers. The movie’s dialogue is snappy and memorable, and the characters are all well-developed and interesting. The film also features some excellent performances, particularly from Steve Buscemi, who steals the show as a paranoid, fast-talking criminal named Mr. Shhh. “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is a stylish and entertaining crime thriller that is definitely worth checking out. It may not be for everyone, as it is quite violent and features some dark subject matter, but if you enjoy gritty crime dramas with a touch of humour and a great cast, then this movie is definitely worth your time.

One of the film’s strengths is its visual style. The movie has a distinct, almost dream-like look to it, with lots of moody lighting and unusual camera angles. This style helps to create a sense of tension and unease throughout the film, and it also helps to highlight the characters’ emotional states. 

Another strong aspect of the film is its score. The soundtrack features a mix of classic and contemporary music, including tracks from Warren Zevon, The Afghan Whigs, and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. The music helps to enhance the film’s overall mood and atmosphere, and it also gives the movie a distinctive, memorable sound.

One potential downside of the film is that its plot can be a bit convoluted at times. There are a lot of characters and subplots to keep track of, and some viewers may find the story hard to follow. However, for those who are willing to put in the effort to piece everything together, the film offers a satisfying and rewarding viewing experience. “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is a well-crafted and highly entertaining crime thriller with a strong cast, stylish visuals, and an excellent soundtrack. It may not be a movie for everyone, but for those who enjoy this type of film, it is definitely worth checking out.

One of the notable aspects of the film is its use of language. The characters in the movie speak in a unique and stylized manner, often using inventive slang and creative turns of phrase. This helps to give the movie a distinctive voice and makes the dialogue more memorable.

The film’s themes also make it stand out from other crime dramas. At its core, “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is a story about redemption and second chances. The main character, Jimmy the Saint, is a man who is haunted by his past mistakes and is given one last chance to make things right. Throughout the film, he is forced to confront his past and try to find a way to move forward.

The movie also explores the concept of friendship and loyalty in the criminal underworld. Jimmy and his team of criminals may be outsiders in society, but they have a strong bond and are willing to risk everything for each other. This theme adds depth and complexity to the characters and helps to make the movie more engaging.

Overall, “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is a well-crafted and unique crime thriller that offers a lot of memorable moments and interesting themes. Its quirky dialogue, stylish visuals, and strong performances from the cast all help to make it stand out from other movies in the genre. While it may not be for everyone, it is definitely worth checking out for fans of crime dramas who are looking for something a little different.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The master that was used to produce this release isn’t new, but it is quite nice. The density levels of the visuals remain solid throughout the entire film as well. As a result, close-ups and larger panoramic shots have the same type of consistency. The best news is that there are no traces of problematic digital adjustments.

Audio

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. The clarity, depth, and dynamic intensity were very solid. I did not encounter any balance issues either. The upper register was very healthy. So, at the moment I am unsure if there is any room for meaningful improvements. 

Special Features

• “Things to Perform in Denver When You’re Dead” – in this exclusive new program, Andy Garcia explains what immediately attracted him to Scott Rosenberg’s screenplay for Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, and discusses his initial encounter with Gary Fleder, the unique slang that is heard throughout the film, the chemistry between the stars, what it was like to work with Christopher Walken, the unique qualities of his character and his business. Mr. Garcia even discusses the possibility of a second film with the same characters causing noise on the other side. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (20 min)
• “Things to Write in Denver When You’re Dead” – in this exclusive new program, screenwriter Scott Rosenberg recalls how he ended up in Los Angeles and started writing, and discusses the original ideas that became the foundation of his screenplay for Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, his collaboration with Gary Fleder, the great cast that was assembled for the film, the unique slang and the overlapping of comedy and drama, etc. There are some very interesting comments about the tightening up of the narrative, which was structured differently in the screenplay, and the manner in which it hurts the romance between Andy Garcia and Gabrielle Anwar. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (16 min)
• “Things to Direct in Denver When You’re Dead” – in this exclusive new program, director Gary Fleder recalls the exact moment during the early 1990s when Miramax became involved with Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead and he went to work on it, Tony Scott’s attempt to take over the film, how Pulp Fiction permanently overshadowed it, the arrival of Andy Garcia and how it legitimized the project, etc. There are some terrific comments about the casting of Treat Williams and Roger Ebert’s take on the film as well. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (18 min)
• “Things to Design in Denver When You’re Dead” – in this exclusive new program, production designer Nelson Coates discusses some of the things that needed to be accomplished during the pre-production process, the unique locations in Denver that were chosen for key sequences, the bar and stage that was created for Buddy Guy’s performance, and the promotional campaigns for the film in America and Europe. The program was produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. In English, not subtitled. (24 min)