Rapid Review: Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead (1995)

“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?”
– Easy Wind

SYNOPSIS: Jimmy the Saint has left the underworld. When ex-boss calls him in and asks for a lucrative “favor,”Jimmy accepts and enlists the aid of former gang members. Unfortunately, things go awry and they all find themselves on the crime lord’s hit list. – via Rotten Tomatoes

Yep, there’s a mouthful of a title for you! While there are certainly far better mob movies to watch out there, it cannot be denied that this was quite entertaining, though it fell incredibly short of the mark it had set up for itself. The movie boasts a pretty good cast, and they all have pretty damn good performances and make it well worth the watch. Andy Garcia plays a great mobster, and Jimmy the Saint was an ex-gangster I really admired, not to mention the charm he oozed. I mean wow, the man was smooth and suave. Hot! Yes, can you tell I was a fan of his character? Garcia is always worth a watch in my opinion. The dialogue and writing is snappy, reminiscent of a Tarantino flick (apparently this was written pre-Reservoir Dogs though). If you like that quick wit and all, this will be something to enjoy.  At least I finally understand “Boat Drinks” (Eric and Mark)! I really liked the way that this all came together, and while not the greatest movie of all time, I cannot understand why it is not more well known, it’s a solid watch. Christopher Walken may not have been his most awesome self in here, but fans of his will enjoy his appearance nonetheless. Christopher Lloyd was very good, and the relationships between all these crooks was a solid one and nice to watch. Steve Buscemi’s Mister Shhh, man of few words, gave me a few laughs. Totally cuckoo crazy, but was still more organised and together than Critical Bill. Yes, all the character names are that weird, and it is alright. It grows on you (if you don’t like it from the off). I had fun with this, and I am sure others will too, as long as you aren’t expecting the next Casino or Reservoir Dogs, you will be just fine.

Beware: The trailer is a total spoiler – the whole movie is pretty much squeezed in there.