Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
By Kit Macdonald
Gary Fleder's crime drama Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead has gone from being largely dismissed as a Pulp Fiction clone on its release to cult favourite status, thanks to its quirky characters, memorable lines, and delightful performances from Andy Garcia and Christopher Walken. Garcia plays Jimmy "The Saint" Tosnia, a former mobster trying to live a clean life but pulled, in classic style, back into the criminal underworld for one last big job.
The title, which is a nod to a 1964 Warren Zevon song, sets the tone for an interesting examination of mortality, legacy, violence and redemption. Perhaps the words of the late, great Roger Ebert are the best guide to what to expect from TTDIDWYD: "On balance, I think it's an interesting miss, but a movie you might enjoy if (a) you don't expect a masterpiece, and (b) you like the dialogue in Quentin Tarantino movies."