Frogs for Snakes (1998)

User Rating:

3.6/10   

Director:

Amos Poe

Writer (WGA):

Amos Poe (written by)

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

They collect for the mob. But they'd rather act. Expect killer performances.

Plot:

A group of unemployed theater actors survive by working as illegal money collectors. The loan shark they are working for owns an Off-Broadway theater...

Plot Keywords:

Dream | Animal In Title | Satire | Acting Coach | Exploitation

Cast

José Rafael Arango	...	Doorman (as Jose Rafael Arango)
Nikki Arlyn	...	Flo
David Cale	...	Jim
Nick Chinlund	...	Iggy Schmurtz
Robbie Coltrane	...	Al Santana
David Deblinger	...	UB
Anthony DeSando	...	Rilke
John Di Maggio	...	Jersey Kid (as John DiMaggio)
Harry Hamlin	...	Klench
Ian Hart	...	Quint
Barbara Hershey	...	Eva Santana
Zak Kerkoulas	...	Augie Santana
John Leguizamo	...	Zip
Linda Mancini	...	Bartender
Lisa Marie	...	Myrna L'Hatsky

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality and sex-related dialogue, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA | USA:R | Denmark:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Shooting Gallery

Trivia:

The film's title is taken from the blues song by Sonny Boy Williamson, "Fattening Frogs for Snakes". Singer Patti Smith apparently brought this song to the director's attention; in the end credits she receives "special thanks" for its use.

Movie Connections:

References American Buffalo (1996)

Soundtrack:

Fattening Frogs for Snakes

Of course, it's bad, but it's worse than that

There is almost no reason for me to write. Many of you have done the job for me. But I take the misuse and co-option of a "Downtown" NY vibe in this movie as a personal affront. Amos Poe has some kind of Alt -street cred, although now I can't remember for what. Something to do with Debbie Harry. But he (on the basis of this film) is not an artist, not an entertainer, not a good post-modernist, not very smart! As many have pointed out, he knows how to quote from much better things. And he knows how to cast weirdly iconic actors and use interesting East Village locations. But the killing scenes are excessive, the acting scenes are unconvincing. And neither illuminates the other. Jim Jarmusch, forgive me! Any doubts I have had about your genius have been erased by this slop. I understand now (I already liked it a lot) what a massive achievement Ghost Dog is. You have quoted Godard, but added something to our understanding, as Godard did with such as Fuller and Ray. This guy, on the other hand belongs in the Press area of a European Blondie Reunion concert, holding a Poloroid camera. He totally wasted my time with his smarmy, hipper-than-thou bullshit. Lisa Marie is hot though.