I liked this movie, but, with regards to the catchphrase "Give it a name:"
They really drive home that this is a catchphrase. I mean, each character says it at least once if not more. (at least I think so, I'm not going to check...my point is it's repeated a lot). As if after this movie came out, everyone was going to be walking around saying "Give it a name" every other sentence.
When I first heard the phrase "Give it a name," I had no idea what it meant. Then, as luck sometimes works, I was in a psychology class where the instructor talked about this. I don't recall exactly what "give it a name" means, but from what I do remember, when you have a problem you need to solve, the first thing you need to do is to give the problem a name so your mind recognizes the problem and can then begin to think of a solution to the problem.
While this may be a little off, I remember that it does have to do with psychology in some way. Whether or not they used it this way in the movie is a different story. It seems to fit, because every time a character says it, it's usually in response to something bad that has happened (if I remember correctly).
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fake_shemp
21 years ago
Sounds like a good explanation.
To me, it seemed like they were using it kind of like "forgetaboutit" which was highlighted in Donnie Brasco (1997) as an all-purpose phrase. Maybe the gangsters in "Things to Do" had a healthier approach where instead of using denial and foregetting about it, they would confront their problem by giving it a name.
Also, since I've never heard the phrase outside of this movie, I'd guess it was an invention of the writer, but I've never talked to gangters from the Denver area, so for all I know, it's a regional thing.
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