Everyone is a Critic: Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead

The 1995 crime film, Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead. It’s an older movie, but I found it quite enjoyable to sit down and watch this movie.

A cross between a mobster movie and a tragic romance, this film carries both story lines well. Ex-mobster, Jimmy, The Saint, Tosnia, played by Andy Garcia, and his buddies are drawn back into the fold unwillingly by mob boss, “The Man With The Plan”, played by Christopher Walken, after his son, Bernard, played by Michael Nicolosi, is arrested for child molestation. When the plan goes terribly wrong, it becomes a death sentence for Jimmy and his crew. They are all dead and they know it, stalked by Mr. Shhh, played by Steve Buscerni, the hitman who never fails and shows no mercy. Jimmy is allowed a reprieve if he leaves Denver, but there are a few things to take care of before he goes. Jimmy has met a girl, Dagney, played by Gabrielle Anwar, and he’s trying to win her heart, but now he must walk away to protect her.

You’ve got to love the cast of colorful characters, who are made bigger than life by the actors who play them. Jimmy is making a new life for himself, running a faltering business recording the thoughts and messages of those who are terminally ill. Jimmy’s crew are all ex-mobsters, trying to make new lives for themselves: Pieces, played by Christoper Lloyd, who runs a x-rated movie theater and spends his days with porn running in the background; Easy Wind, played by Bill Nunn, runs a boxing ring; Critical Bill, played by Treat Williams, who has some definite rage issues to work out and finds rather unique and gruesome ways to do that; and Big Bear Franchise, played by William Forsythe, has a wife and kids to worry about.

Not surprisingly, this movie was filmed in Denver, where I grew up, and the familiarity of setting definitely added to my enjoyment of this movie, making it all seem more real to me. In the photo above, the crew is at Crown Hill Cemetery, where I have relatives buried, as do many other Denverites.

This is not your typical mobster movie, and there are no happy endings. The fun lies in seeing how it all plays out, with more than a few surprises. I never knew how many things there are to do in Denver when you’re dead.