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Frogs for Snakes

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
4.5/10
399
YOUR RATING
Frogs for Snakes (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:27
1 Video
5 Photos
Dark ComedySatireComedyCrimeThriller

Eva is a legit actress who does debt-collecting jobs on the side for her ex-husband, loan shark Al. She doesn't want to go on with collecting, but Al asks her to do one last job: finding a m... Read allEva is a legit actress who does debt-collecting jobs on the side for her ex-husband, loan shark Al. She doesn't want to go on with collecting, but Al asks her to do one last job: finding a missing $600,000 stolen from him by Flav.Eva is a legit actress who does debt-collecting jobs on the side for her ex-husband, loan shark Al. She doesn't want to go on with collecting, but Al asks her to do one last job: finding a missing $600,000 stolen from him by Flav.

  • Director
    • Amos Poe
  • Writer
    • Amos Poe
  • Stars
    • José Rafael Arango
    • Nicole Arlyn
    • David Cale
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.5/10
    399
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Amos Poe
    • Writer
      • Amos Poe
    • Stars
      • José Rafael Arango
      • Nicole Arlyn
      • David Cale
    • 18User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Frogs For Snakes
    Trailer 1:27
    Frogs For Snakes

    Photos4

    View Poster
    View Poster
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    View Poster

    Top cast25

    Edit
    José Rafael Arango
    • Doorman
    • (as Jose Rafael Arango)
    Nicole Arlyn
    Nicole Arlyn
    • Flo
    • (as Nikki Arlyn)
    David Cale
    David Cale
    • Jim
    Nick Chinlund
    Nick Chinlund
    • Iggy Schmurtz
    Robbie Coltrane
    Robbie Coltrane
    • Al Santana
    David Deblinger
    David Deblinger
    • UB
    Anthony DeSando
    Anthony DeSando
    • Rilke
    John DiMaggio
    John DiMaggio
    • Jersey Kid
    Harry Hamlin
    Harry Hamlin
    • Klench
    Ian Hart
    Ian Hart
    • Quint
    Barbara Hershey
    Barbara Hershey
    • Eva Santana
    Zak Kerkoulas
    • Augie Santana
    John Leguizamo
    John Leguizamo
    • Zip
    Linda Mancini
    • Bartender
    Lisa Marie
    Lisa Marie
    • Myrna L'Hatsky
    Debi Mazar
    Debi Mazar
    • Simone
    Taylor Mead
    Taylor Mead
    • Doc Wax
    Chuck Montgomery
    Chuck Montgomery
    • X Man
    • Director
      • Amos Poe
    • Writer
      • Amos Poe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    4.5399
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    JustMe-8

    A Total Waste of Time & Money

    I found "Frogs for Snakes" poorly done and if at all, badly researched.

    Early in the film one of the characters mentions that her boyfriend was sentenced to prison for 4 years, until 1969. A bit later she talks about the 69 Corvette he bought her. A remarkable feat -- getting a 69 car in 65.

    Still later, the term "dissed" is used, a term that didn't come into being until the mid 90's.

    Still later, characters used cell phones, which certainly didn't exist in the mid 60's.

    Just a bad film overall.
    TheDude-

    Gangster farce about a group of mad theatrics trimmed with deep black humour

    Underground director Amos Poe presents this Tarantino-esque gangster movie, which is also a close portrait of a woman trying to break free from her old life. All trimmed with some violence, black humour and loads of quotations from the world of theater and movies. (watched @ the world premier at the Filmfestspiele Berlin)
    7DavidNichols

    Great dark humor story

    Some movies are like olives or wine; you need to have developed a taste before you can fully enjoy them. The story was unexpected and definitely better the second time around since I was paying attention this time. If you like dark humor you'll love Barbara Hershey and this great cast doing a wonderful job. It is well above par for this genre.
    retrodaze

    A Cross between Crap...

    and a really HUGE warm pile of crap. This stinker can be smelled from a country mile away. Dont go too close or might get some on you. Idiotic story and even worse acting..if thats possible. Run! and dont look back, or you may just turn into a pillar of salt.
    7ragana

    When killing for a part is the audition.

    This movie is about a group of off-off Broadway actor wanna bes who moonlight as illegal money collectors. One of their crew (Barbara Hershey) wants to leave and start a new life with her young son. Unfortunately, her ex-husband (Robbie Coltrane) is the theatre impresario/loan shark who pulls the strings of everyone's ambitions.

    A very unusual vision of the gangster comedy theme. It takes the generalized neuroses and psychoses of actors (ego, ambition, narcissism, paranoia, etc) and runs the gamut from somewhat healthy to psychotic. People alternate from friends, lovers, and assassins at the turn of an audition announcement and will begin monologues from plays and movies with little to no warning (this will be fun for theatre/movie buffs). The plot, unlike some movies, actually requires attention and a large cast (most of whom are one to two sceners) delivers excellent performances all around.

    FYI: has some scenes of graphic violence.

    Worth a rent/buy used. Due to its singular style, I would suggest renting first, as it will not be everyone's cup of tea.

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    Related interests

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Sian Clifford in Fleabag (2016)
    Dark Comedy
    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Gascone: [Eva left acting class] So when are you coming back to class?

      Eva: Never.

      Gascone: It's a shame, little Eva. You're the only one I ever picked to make it. You got fucking talent, you know? You got a fucking gift.

      Eva: Yeah, well, I got lots of gifts.

      Gascone: Yeah, I know...

      [looking at the breakfeast menu]

      Gascone: ... I don't know why I bother browsing this fucking thing. I know the fucking thing by heart. I always order the same fucking thing.

    • Crazy credits
      After the credits there's an epilog to be seen.
    • Connections
      References I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
    • Soundtracks
      Subterranean Homesick Blues
      Written by Bob Dylan

      Courtesy of Special Writer Music (SESAC)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Frogs for Snakes (Actores asesinos)
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Shooting Gallery
      • Rain Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,589
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,191
      • May 23, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $21,589
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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