MovieChat Forums > Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) Discussion > Language

Language

posted 16 years ago by Picasner
8 replies | jump to latest

I've never seen a board with so many questions about the dialogue. The writers wanted to make up their own "language" to put all the characters in their own little society. For example, when they talk about a "citizen", they mean someone who is not in crime, not part of their society. A ploy that makes the movie so much more interesting, but at the same time, confusing. The characters themselves are misfits which means you can't just apply the same moral standards and actions to them. It did, however, give the writers the freedom to have the characters do whatever was needed to make the storyline work. All of this starts with the made-up language.

Give it a name: Yes, exactly. I agree.
Put it in the wind: Disappear
Boat drinks: The ideal end to a hard (& illegal) life
Citizen: A straight person, not a gangster.
A piece of work: A murder for hire
An action: A non-lethal assault
A brown boy/dookey eater: Someone who eats feces (ugh)

If you pay close attention when watching, this movie will really come alive for you.

[–] filmprincess 16 years ago

I must have watched too many gangster movies in my day because I sort of got most of the dialogue/phrases you quoted. But, was great that you posted all of these. I'm not sure I got each and every one, but I did figure out quite a few of them on my own. Anyway, good call. :) By the way, the last one just makes me laugh; and even though it's been a long while since I've seen it, I do remember that one line like I'd just watched it yesterday. Toooooo funny! In any event, what a great film. Far, far underrated in my view! Jmho, of course! ...............fp

[–] sp017 15 years ago

i didnt think i watched that many gangster films and i understood everything that was said.
it also helped that they occasionally repeated and expanded on several phrases or situations within the context of the story.

fantastic film. only just watched it again after so many years. treats character when hiding just makes me laugh so much, and i love walkens performnce too.

[–] bluefellow 16 years ago

To me, the language is what makes the film so great. Vibrant and evocative--the words practically sparkle. And the actors do a great job of tossing off the made-up words and phrases as naturally as if they have been using them their whole lives.

"I don't want any Commies in my car. No Christians, either."

[–] rpdevo-2 16 years ago

The movie is incredible, Garcia is 80's and 90's acting, no one comes close!
A citizen doesn't mean, not a gangster, perhaps a person not caught up in the life, if you recall, Lucinda said when she got straight, she'd be a citizen, that doesn't mean a gangster, just someone not caught up in the life no more is how a citizen is better explained. And also Give it a name really means, it is what it is, what you see, is what you get, nothing more, nothing less, Yes, exactley, I agree is way too broad a definition. A piece of work is something pretty heavy to be done by a crew or an individual, not just limiting it to a murder for hire, not at all, and a action is labeled as something pretty easy to deal with for the man, doing an action for the man with the plan would be an easy pay day, easy in, easy out, no bodies, and no injuries brought home. At least Picasner took the time to figure or try to figure it out, I give you a 'paid day' for at least that, but does it keep your powder dry?!

[–] dveit84 16 years ago

I'll have to watch it again with this in mind.

[–] MrPunish 16 years ago

You forgot the best one, you mammyrammer

Don: No, you are going to have to turn this opportunity yes!

[–] Picasner 16 years ago

Actually, I did remember it, but I couldn't think of a definition that wouldn't be "indelicate." Thanks for bringing it up, but if anyone asks, you answer! :)

[–] 16 years ago

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