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Things to Do in Denver
When You're Dead (1995)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
10/21
10/21:
Obviously a Tarantino wannabe, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead has a strong cast and a hip
screenplay but sometimes runs loose.
One sign of good editing is knowing what to cut out. In this case, I was starting to get bored at the hour mark because of
some needless parts. Why Reservoir Dogs and
Glengarry Glen Ross worked is tight editing. As a result,
they're fast pictures with crisp and, more importantly, memorable dialogue. They also have movie moments while
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead has none at all.
The cast is unbelievable as it contains Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, Jack
Warden, Steve Buscemi, Fairuza Balk, Gabrielle Anwar, Christopher Walken, Glenn Plummer, and Bill Cobbs. Jenny McCarthy, Don
Cheadle, and Tiny Lister also have small supporting parts. There's plenty of pedigree by those who've come from Sidney
Lumet films while Andy Garcia recaptures a great deal of Vincent Mancini's persona from
The Godfather Part III.
At first, the dialogue is confusing to follow, but as soon as Andy Garcia leaves the malt shop, it starts to make sense, thanks
to Jack Warden providing some explanation what certain slang words mean. Things are better going forward. Of course, I knew,
and Jimmy should've known, from a mile away that Critical Bill was going to fuck up everything. It's what psychos do for fun.
What a mistake it was to have him on the crew for a simple operation. Instead of doing nothing, why not all the condemned men
go after The Man with the Plan? What's there to lose if they're going to be killed anyway?
All in all, thirty minutes shorter, and Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead might hit the sweet spot, but it
desperately needs a few timeless scenes.