Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead 4K 1995 Ultra HD 2160p

Released during the “Tarantino boom” period, Gary Fleder's film continues the glorious tradition of gangster films of the 90s. However, the label “another Tarantino-inspired film” does not quite fit this magnificent picture, characterized by an incredibly well-thought-out script and a very powerful cast. The only thing that relates Fleder's film with the opuses of “great and terrible” Quentin is the dialogues, which in the movie are really a great number, and all of them are bright, juicy, witty, not devoid of sense, which makes not only watch it, but also listen to it. In everything else the picture is rather similar to “The Usual Suspects” by Bryan Singer: the same strict style, the same doom in the manner of presentation, the same five criminals going to perform a task for a criminal authority... But about everything in order.

The main character of the movie - Jimmy, nicknamed “The Saint”, played by Andy Garcia, is a very mysterious and ambiguous person. For a long time I could not decide what feelings to feel for him and only by the middle of the movie I realized that this is a purely positive character, despite his criminal past. And now I will try to explain why. In his youth Jimmy wanted to become a priest, but something in his life did not work out, he lost his faith and eventually became a gangster. Well it happens, sometimes in life you have to do things differently than you planned. But, fortunately, Jimmy came to his senses in time and ended his criminal past - from now on he is a modest businessman and a law-abiding citizen. However, by the evil irony of fate Jimmy again have to take up the old - a powerful criminal mastermind played by Christopher Walken forces our hero to fulfill for him one small assignment, to refuse which is like death. It is necessary only to frighten the arrogant brat, dating a girl in whom Walken's son is in love with. Jimmy decides not to get his hands dirty and hires four priblatnennye Denver varmints, who turn out to be complete assholes, killing not only the “client”, but also the girl. This becomes their death sentence - the angry mobster orders to kill all of them, except for Jimmy, who on old friendship gives 48 hours to slip out of town. But Jimmy isn't the kind of guy who leaves his friends in the lurch. In the face of Death, which is literally and figuratively embodied by Walken's character, he, like a priest, will fight for the souls of each of them. The question is, will they want to be saved? After all, death comes for everyone sooner or later. So maybe they should not be afraid and hide, but meet it with dignity, as befits the tough guys...?

Having started as a sample of cool gangster movie, Fleder's movie unnoticeably grows a multilevel semantic layer, turning into a spatial parable about moral principles and transience of human existence, which is facilitated, from time to time, by comments of dead people, giving advice to their living relatives - it was this strange occupation that Jimmy earned his living, recording on tape the advice of terminally ill people, who had nothing left to live for.

Andy Garcia is inimitable as Jimmy. This actor is generally very successful roles in gangster movies, remember at least “The Godfather-3” or “The Untouchables”. The reason for this, no doubt, “mafia” appearance of the actor, allowing him to organically dissolve into numerous gangster images. But again, the role of Jimmy “Saints” is not as unambiguous as it may seem at first glance: due to some invisible mechanisms Garcia manages to entice the viewer to his side and make you respect his character, and not perceive him only as a criminal. Perhaps the best role in the actor's career.

The movie in general is a feast in terms of acting. On the minor roles here is occupied by almost half of Hollywood stars of that time. Special admiration is a game of the venerable Christopher Walken, who managed to create a truly impressive image of the ringleader of the underworld, despite the fact that his character throughout the movie was confined to a wheelchair: somehow immediately believe that such a person is better not to cross the road. The actor once again proved that he can arouse interest in the frame, doing absolutely nothing, just saying monologues. In addition to Garcia and Walken should also highlight Steve Buscemi as a hired killer nicknamed “Mr. Sh” and the beautiful Gabrielle Anwar as Jimmy's girlfriend. The former impresses with his virtuoso mastery of both cold and hot weapons, and the latter simply pleases the eye with her mere presence, diluting the harsh aesthetics of the movie with a lovely feminine charm.

Not honored by the general public at the time of its release, Gary Fleder's film has nevertheless gained cult status over time. And it is legitimate. The movie really gives a giant head start to modern gangster films, shot on the principle of “more violence, less sense”. It is the deep philosophical subtext that distinguishes this picture from numerous brothers in the genre. Among other things, it is simply pleasant to watch it, and even more pleasant to revise it, because it is obviously impossible to appreciate all the charm of this picture from one time.