Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A saintly guy with dying clients agrees to scare someone for a mob boss, but things go sideways, and suddenly everyone’s a buckwheats, leading to a hilariously morbid scavenger hunt in Denver.

🍿 Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Jimmy ‘The Saint’s Predicament

Jimmy ‘The Saint’ Tosnia, an ex-gangster trying to make an honest living, runs a business called ‘Afterlife Advice,’ where he videotapes messages from the terminally ill for their loved ones. His business is struggling, leading him into debt with loan sharks. When a powerful gangster known as ‘The Man With the Plan’ buys up his debt, Jimmy is forced to take on a ‘favor’ in exchange for forgiving the interest he owes.

The Botched Job

The favor involves Jimmy assembling his old crew to scare a man who’s dating the ex-girlfriend of ‘The Man With the Plan’s’ son. However, the seemingly simple task goes horribly wrong when the crew accidentally kills both the target and his girlfriend. This puts Jimmy and his crew in deep trouble, as ‘The Man With the Plan’ places contracts on their lives, labeling them ‘buckwheats.’

Facing the Consequences

With contracts out on their heads, Jimmy and his crew must face the imminent danger of being hunted down by a ruthless hitman, Mr. Shhh. Jimmy grapples with the guilt and responsibility for putting his friends in this deadly situation. He attempts to help them escape while also trying to protect those he cares about.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jimmy ‘The Saint’ Tosnia (Andy Garcia): An ex-gangster trying to run a legitimate business who gets pulled back into the criminal world for one last job.
• The Man with the Plan (Christopher Walken): A powerful and ruthless crime boss who demands a favor from Jimmy that sets off a chain of deadly events.
• Pieces (Christopher Lloyd): One of Jimmy’s old crew members, a veteran with leprosy who is called upon for the ill-fated job.
• Critical Bill (Treat Williams): A volatile and unpredictable member of Jimmy’s crew whose actions lead to disaster.
• Mister Shhh (Steve Buscemi): A professional hitman hired to eliminate Jimmy and his crew after the botched job.
• Dagney (Gabrielle Anwar): A beautiful woman with whom Jimmy becomes romantically involved, offering him a glimpse of a different life.
• Lucinda (Fairuza Balk): A prostitute and friend of Jimmy’s who he tries to help escape her difficult life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jimmy ‘The Saint’ Tosnia: “Dagney? That’s your name? Tremendous name. My name’s Jimmy and I have just one single impulsive question. Are you in love?” – Jimmy first meets Dagney and tries to woo her with his unique charm and directness.
• Jimmy ‘The Saint’ Tosnia: “At the present time, are you in love?” – Jimmy is very straight forward when meeting Dagney, not wanting to step on anyones toes.
• Jimmy ‘The Saint’ Tosnia: “Because if you are, then I won’t waste your time. I’m really not the type of man to impede another man’s happiness. However, if you’re not presently in love then I will continue my rhapsody, because if I may say so, Dagney, you are most definitely the bees’ knees.” – Said to Dagney, Jimmy explains why he is asking if she is in love.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $529,766
• Worldwide Gross: $529,766

💥 Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! The witty dialogue and quirky characters had me hooked from the start. I especially enjoyed Christopher Walken’s portrayal of the Man with the Plan; it was so chilling and memorable. The ending was bittersweet, but the film is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys crime dramas with a touch of dark humor. This is one of the greatest and most underrated crime flicks of the nineties!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate dark humor and quirky characters”
  • “Those interested in gangster films with a sentimental core”
  • “Fans of Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, and Steve Buscemi”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter – Movie News: “This film distinguishes itself through sharp dialogue and a neo-noir atmosphere, however, the weak shake down arrangements damage the setup of the movie, and the forced love interest angle damages the plot.
• Slash Film: “As the name suggests, it’s all about what you do when you’re dead. In Jimmy’s case, that means calling in a favor from an old friend, and trying to get back on your feet. But how far is too far?

Audience Reactions

The unique slang and quotable lines made the movie incredibly memorable.: Viewers consistently praise the stellar cast and their performances, particularly Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, and Steve Buscemi.

It’s a cult classic film and has aged well for nearly three decades.: The films dialogue is snappy and easy to repeat.

Overall Consensus: Despite mixed initial reviews, ‘Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead’ has garnered a cult following, celebrated for its unique dialogue, memorable characters, and dark humor, although some criticize the plot’s complexity and derivative nature.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg created the distinctive slang-based vocabulary used by the characters in the film by mixing Vietnam slang and biker slang, and adding in some of his own original diction.”
• “During the movie, they refer to the hit man killer as “Mr. Shush” (it even says as much in closed captions) – yet in the credits and chapter section, he is called “Mr. Shhh”.”

🖥️ How to Watch Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead?

As of October 2024, “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, you might like these similar films:

• Pulp Fiction (1994): Features a similar blend of crime, dark humor, and memorable dialogue, with a non-linear narrative.
• The Way of the Gun (2000): Another neo-noir crime thriller with sharp dialogue and a focus on flawed characters caught in a dangerous situation.
• Reservoir Dogs (1992): Explores the aftermath of a heist gone wrong with a group of colorful criminals and witty banter.
• Killing Them Softly (2012): A modern crime film that examines the economic realities and business aspects of organized crime with a cynical tone.
• Suicide Kings (1997): The Man With the Plan character evokes some of the themes as in the Chris Walken character.

🛒 Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead Related Products

• Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead – Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster. A perfect piece of memorabilia for fans of the film’s unique style and dark humor.
• Soundtrack from the Motion Picture ‘Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead’: Digital album featuring all the iconic tracks from the movie, including Tom Waits’ ‘Jockey Full Of Bourbon’.
• Steve Buscemi Autographed Photo – Mr. Shhh ‘Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead’: Authentic signed photograph of Steve Buscemi as the iconic hitman Mr. Shhh. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
• Andy Garcia Film Collection [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray collection featuring Andy Garcia’s most memorable roles, including ‘Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Jockey Full Of Bourbon” – performed by Tom Waits
• “Folsom Prison Blues” – performed by Johnny Cash
• “Mind Over Matter” – performed by Ice-T

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Critical Bill – “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead”

Ever wondered how dark humor can get? Check out this crazy scene with Critical Bill from “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” – you won’t believe what he does with a corpse!

Blues Traveler – Get Out Of Denver

Did you know Blues Traveler covered Bob Seger for “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead”? This song perfectly captures the vibe of the movie, it’s a must-listen!

Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead–Buckwheats!

Want to know what “Buckwheats!” means in “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead”? This clip reveals the context behind this hilarious and somewhat disturbing sentence. It’s darkly comedic gold!

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