Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

Starring: Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Treat Williams
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
1995

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:After a crimelord (Christopher Walken) asks Jimmy the Saint (Andy Garcia) to help with a small job, things in Denver take a turn for the worse. Jimmy recruits some friends (Christopher Lloyd, Treat Williams) to help with the job. When the job is blown, the crimelord sents a killer (Steve Buscemi) to murder Jimmy and those involved.

Review:

Tim: This film wasn't widely liked by critics (at least to the best of my knowledge), but I thought it was an interesting and moving film. Andy Garcia gives a noble performance as Jimmy the Saint. This is a complex character that Garcia truly does bring to life and makes respectable. Surrounding Garcia is a very impressive cast. Lloyd and Buscemi give excellent performances, and Williams is a big over-the-top, but against the backdrop, works more often than it fails. Walken is decent, giving yet another creepy performance. The guy is weird, I tell ya.

I believe this movie works because of the character of Jimmy the Saint. Garcia was panned by some critics for a one-dimensional performance, but I thought he was thought-provoking and at times even moving. I truly did enjoy this character, and he stays a very memorable one in my mind.

The film itself is pretty entertaining. I really enjoyed the themes of friendship throughout the film, especially in regards to the "reformed" gangsters. The plot does involve murder and evil, but at the core of the film you witness the best qualities of these different and complex characters.
And, if you can like the film for no other reason, its called, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead. How do you not like a film titled like that!?!?

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Ocean's Eleven, Internal Affairs, Armageddon, Con Air, Kiss the Girls, The Untouchables