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

Film Overview
"Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" is an American crime drama movie released in 1995. Directed by Gary Fleder, the film was composed by Scott Rosenberg who shone a light on the dirty underworld in an unique, darkly comic style. The movie is differentiated by an impressive ensemble cast, notably Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, William Forsythe, Treat Williams, Steve Buscemi, and Christopher Lloyd.

Storyline
Andy Garcia stars as Jimmy 'The Saint' Tosnia, the protagonist-- a previous gangster drawn back into a life of criminal offense by his former employer. After retiring from a life of crime, Jimmy has accepted a law-abiding lifestyle as the owner of an organization that records on video the knowledge of terminally ill individuals for future generations. However, his serene life is interrupted when his old boss, The Man With The Plan (Christopher Walken), a ruthless, wheelchair-bound crime lord, pushes him into performing one last job.

The Last Job
The job asked of Jimmy is stealthily easy: to scare the new sweetheart of The Man's son's ex-girlfriend. Nevertheless, things considerably fail when Jimmy's inept crew, referred to as the "Boat Drinks" and played by William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, and Christopher Lloyd, ends up inadvertently killing the boy. This blunder has severe effects, altering the task from a 'get out of town' order to a 'buckwheats' order, an incredibly unpleasant and dragged out capital punishment in the criminal world.

Attempt to Amend the Situation
Frantically, Jimmy attempts to spare his team and himself this horrendous fate by working out with The Man. He also begins a relationship with an academic daguerreotype professional photographer, played by Gabrielle Anwar. The film dives then into components of mortal fear, sentimentality, poetic monologues about death, and noirish fatalism, intertwining love with the plain inevitability of an impending doom.

Climax and Upshot
In the end, Jimmy fails to avoid the 'buckwheats' order from being carried out. His crew is hunted one by one by a killer called Mr. Shush (Steve Buscemi). Ultimately, the agreement on Jimmy's life is likewise sealed as he gets gunned down in a park after saying goodbye to his love. His stoic acceptance of fate offers the movie a heartbreaking conclusion.

Reception and Legacy
"Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead", while not a ticket office hit, got a cult following gradually. It was recognized for its unique take on crime and penalty, the unforgettable performances by the ensemble cast, and its distinct discussion. The film's title even motivated a song by Warren Zevon and became a catchphrase for revealing an alarming scenario, showing its cultural effect beyond the cinematic sphere. While some critics discovered the film too wacky and eccentric, others applauded its original method to the criminal offense genre, loaded with black humor, unusual language, and philosophical undertones on mortality.

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