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Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams ... see more see more... , Jack Warden , Gabrielle Anwar , Steve Buscemi , Fairuza Balk , Christopher Walken , Marshall Bell , Bill Bolender , Seymour Cassel , Josh Charles , Don Cheadle , Bill Cobbs , Joe Drago , Bill Erwin , Willie Garson , Buddy Guy , Wiley Harker , Tommy 'Tiny' Lister , Harriet Medin , Ernestine Mercer , Susan Merson , Glenn Plummer , Don Stark , David Stratton , Sarah Trigger , James Caan , Harris Laskaway , Bill C.W. Long , Michael Nicolosi , Jenny McCarthy , Larry Raben , Ray Allison , Lynn Applebaum , Sarah Levy Arbess , Chuck Bacino , Jacob Berenger , Phil Boardman , Bill Coess , Larry Curry Jr. , William Denis , Taylor Hale , Scott Holt , Nate Ingram , Cheree Jaeb , Selina Mathews , Larissa Michiele , Danny Romo , Ruthay , Greg Rzab , Archie Smith , Deborah Strang

In the mode of Quentin Tarantino, this film, directed by Gary Fleder from a script by Scott Rosenberg, concerns itself with hip, smart gangsters. The film is set in Denver, and the title comes from a ... read more read more...Warren Zevon song. A retired, good-hearted gangster named Jimmy the Saint (Andy Garcia) runs a company that videotapes dying people giving life advice to their children and grandchildren, to be delivered when they come of age. Jimmy's former crime boss, The Man with the Plan (Christopher Walken), summons him. The Man is wheelchair-bound and doesn't have long to live; he explains that Jimmy owes him a favor and must perform one final job. It involves frightening the boyfriend of the ex-girlfriend of Bernard (Michael Nicolosi), the son of The Man, who has been so shaken by the girl's rejection of him that he has been fondling schoolyard children. Jimmy rounds up his old gang -- including Pieces (Christopher Lloyd), a porno theater projectionist; Franchise (William Forsythe), an ex-biker with a trailer-trash family to support; Critical Bill (Treat Williams), a psychotic, trigger-happy ex-con; and Easy Wind (Bill Nunn), an exterminator. Pieces and Bill pose as cops as part of the needlessly elaborate plan, which misfires badly. The Man, enraged, gives Jimmy 48 hours to leave town, and he orders his comrades wiped out, hiring the notorious hitman Mr. Shhh (Steve Buscemi) to track them down. But Jimmy can't seem to get the others to leave town, and despite The Man's decree, Jimmy is also reluctant to leave, because he's become romantically entangled with Dagney (Gabrielle Anwar). Jack Warden's character serves as a kind of Greek chorus who comments from time to time on the unfolding action. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

12,637 ratings

Critics

33% liked it

27 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Gary Fleder

Release Date: December 1, 1995

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DVD Release Date: June 29, 1999

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Stats: 691 reviews

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Jimmy's Rhapsody Bait Dagney First Date Meeting at Malt's Point him out to me Andy Garcia William Forsythe Christopher Walken Christopher Walken Andy Garcia Gabrielle Anwar Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead Gabrielle Anwar Jenny McCarthy Jimmy takes care of business Mr Shhh Boat Drinks
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Flixster Reviews (691)

  • itsjustme2004
    January 8, 2012
    itsjustme2004
    Some memorable lines, and a couple of darkly funny moments. Combine this with some solid performances by Garcia, and Walken, and you still have a movie that isn't too bad...but not great. This movie is a prime example of a casting director filling a film with really good actors, ... read moreto make up for a rather weak script.
  • garyX
    March 10, 2010
    garyX
    Jimmy The Saint is an ex criminal who is dragged back into the life by wheelchair bound Christopher Walken, but when the job goes wrong he and his crew become the target of a contract killer. One of the many, many attempts to jump on the Tarantino band wagon from the mid nineties... read more, Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead is one of the better copycats. Andy Garcia is maybe a little too smooth and suave to play a killer, but it has enough quirky characters and offbeat violence to entertain. The cast is excellent, particularly Christopher Lloyd as his leperous sidekick, Steve Buscemi as a nerdy hitman and especially Treat Williams as his psychotic muscle. The main problem is that it tries to keep one foot in the mainstream, with overly slick direction from hack Gary Fleder, a pointless love interest and contrived tacked on upbeat ending. However it certainly does have its moments because of the superior supporting cast, and its worth it for treat Williams alone. "I AM GODZILLA!! YOU ARE JAPAN!!!!"
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    December 8, 2009
    LoughnerWasLucid
    "why do you think im a gangster, sweet-face?"
    " i dont know, because your names Jimmy the Saint, and you have slicked back hair" .....wow man, thats great writing. great writing
  • SirPant
    September 22, 2009
    SirPant
    A great crime caper, with a fantastic cast. Boat drinks!
  • puffchunk
    October 23, 2007
    puffchunk
    This movie is crazy. Christopher Walken is a mob boss parapalegic, and steve buschemi is a silent hitman badass.
  • adammahler1
    June 2, 2007
    adammahler1
    romantic crime thriller with the theme of mortality thrown in; it's also a young boy's fantasy where one criminal has a heart of gold and couldn't hurt anybody unless he had to
  • fb704730572
    July 15, 2011
    fb704730572
    Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead is an interesting blend of black comedy, modern noir, love story, and gangster film. Though it lacks the polish and sustained momentum of the Tarantino films it's made in the style of, it's compelling on its' own terms. This is perhaps Andy... read more Garcia's best film (even surpassing Internal Affairs), and Christopher Walken is his usual menacingly crazy self. I especially loved the rich dialogue, though it often seems out of place for its' setting, but I suppose that's the point.
  • StefanoEarnest
    December 26, 2011
    StefanoEarnest
    Despite a well-modulated performance from Andy Garcia, "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" is decidedly average. I found the scenes involving Jack Warden to be boring and unnecessary and the entire film felt just a little too "excessive".
  • ileo
    December 25, 2007
    ileo
    Great!
  • kenscheck
    December 25, 2011
    kenscheck
    Average film with some decent moments, but not enough considering its pretty solid cast. It can't just be me that believe Andy Garcia comes off like some kind of date rapist...the guy is just to smug and creepy in almost every role he is in. Many will point out that this movie ... read morewants to be like Tarantino, but it lacks that true flare and fire that Tarantino films always have. That's not to say its horrible or hard to watch...it is a decent film if your in the mood for this kind of thing.

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Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Yet another debut about urban lowlifes filmed by wanna-be Tarantinos, Denver boasts a distinctive personality and a colorful cast that any police lineup would be proud to call its own.

Emanuel Levy
January 8, 2007
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The Tarantino Effect at its worst: Yet another movie about a relentlessly violent gang, reportedly based on a bet the director made with Tarantino! Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
January 23, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

A terrifically off-beat underworld thriller.

Pablo Villaca
May 31, 2002
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Uma bobagem divertida. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
January 1, 2000
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

More tough-guy stuff inspired by Tarantino. Full Review

February 23, 2012
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
November 21, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Kenneth Turan
February 13, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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Facts

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    • Man With The Plan: I heard about your endeavor,some support group thing for dying fags.
    • Critical Bill Dooley: Spongy.
    • Man With The Plan: One minute you're saving the rainforest,the next,you're chugging cock.
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Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Trivia

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  • Andy Garcia, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, and Treat Williams star in this story of a botched job gone horribly wrong with fatal consequences.   Answer »
  • What movie did Al pacino get buckwitzed in?  Answer »
  • Which Andy Garcia movie ripped it's title from a Warren Zevon song?  Answer »
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