Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Five different criminals face imminent death after botching a job quite badly.

Director:

Gary Fleder

Writer:

Scott Rosenberg

Stars:

Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, Christopher Lloyd

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Garcia	...	Jimmy 'The Saint' Tosnia
Christopher Lloyd	...	Pieces
William Forsythe	...	Franchise
Bill Nunn	...	Easy Wind
Treat Williams	...	Critical Bill
Jack Warden	...	Joe Heff
Steve Buscemi	...	Mister Shhh
Fairuza Balk	...	Lucinda
Gabrielle Anwar	...	Dagney
Christopher Walken	...	The Man with the Plan
Michael Nicolosi	...	Bernard
Bill Cobbs	...	Malt
Marshall Bell	...	Lt. Atwater
Glenn Plummer	...	Baby Sinister
Don Stark	...	Gus

Storyline

Jimmy the Saint's business is videotaping the terminally-ill, so that they will be around to give 'Afterlife Advice' to their survivors. He hasn't been doing too well lately and has had to turn to loan-sharks to accomodate his failing business, as well as his expensive personal tastes. When an evil gangster-overlord buys up his note and demands a favor of Jimmy, in exchange for the interest that he can't afford, Jimmy capitulates. Jimmy is to scare someone for the gangster-overlord--really rough them up. Without giving too much away (spoiler), the scene goes down badly and Jimmy and his crew all end up with contracts on their heads for their trouble.

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Plot Keywords:

death | finger gun | wheelchair | what happened to epilogue | video message | 

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Taglines:

Protect. Love. Honor. Avenge.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence and language, and for brief images of a sex film

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asuntos pendientes antes de morir

Filming Locations:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$529,766

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax,Woods Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg created the distinctive slang-based vocabulary used by the characters in the film by mixing Vietnam slang and biker slang, and adding in some of his own original diction.

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Goofs

When Pieces meets Jimmy at the amusement park, he arrives and approaches bareheaded. When they part, he has a hat.

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Quotes

The Man With The Plan: Look at you. You got a lady?
Jimmy 'The Saint' Tosnia: No.
The Man With The Plan: That's 'cause you're hangin' out with the virus breeders, Jimmy: VB's. You in that yet? Bitin' the pillow?
Jimmy 'The Saint' Tosnia: No.
The Man With The Plan: You will. It's a liberal thing. One day you're saving the rainforest, the next, you're chuggin' cock. Am I wrong?

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Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

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Soundtracks

I Want Celeste To Burn
Performed by Skywalker Symphony Orchestra
Written by Alan Silvestri
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

User Reviews

Classic modern noir

I CAN imagine telling someone this film is 'a reputable film of inherently admirable qualities' - a wide-ranging score, sharp cinematography, a beautiful elegiac tone and a killer script all provide the foundations for one of the most surprising films I've seen. Andy Garcia's A-list performance is superbly supported by a host of brilliantly- cast characters, with Treat Williams, Christopher Lloyd and the malevolent

Christopher Walken outstanding.

The whole film just sits really well - all the small background details help the plot, flesh out the characters and culture or provide telling counterpoints to the situation.

Highly recommended, for those who like their films stylish, well-acted and

intelligent.