Frogs for Snakes (1998)

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:

Even though Ron Perlman is billed on the cover/poster for this film, he is only in two scenes, and only one is a dialogue scene.

Movie Connections:

References Raw Deal (1986)

Soundtrack:

Si Mi Chiamo Mimi

Not Bad, Myrna

I actually like this movie. I can see how some people might find it pretentious but those people are just not buying into the concept. It's kind of a campy send-up of Tarantino-ish films substituting a motley group of sleazy actors for just plain sleaze-balls. Instead of long monologues by inane lowlifes about pop culture (a la Pulp Fiction) you get more articulate and literary monologues culled from films, sometimes done with some style and finesse, other times done just for unintentional self-parody, by a colorful group of actors/gangsters. As with any parody, there are times when the characterizations seem over-the-top but mostly I found them clever and funny. To the film's credit, it doesn't take itself too seriously, simply drawing a parallel between the actor's process and the process of the gangster getting into character for the gruesome deeds they do. Barbara Hershey plays the lead character trying to `get out of the life' and out of acting. She is not the most charismatic actress but she does have her moments even if there are times it seems her character's disaffection for her world fails to hold our sympathies. Robbie Coltrane never quite seems convincing as the thick-accented Eastern European gang leader and aspiring impresario. However, Lisa Marie as Myrna is wonderful as the incredibly hot if not-so-talented actress and there are other fine performances from others in the film. The ending is schmaltzy but for the most part the film is quite entertaining.