Main Cast: Nick Stahl, Vera Farmiga, Jacob Pitts, Aimee Mullins, Jeane Fournier
Release Year: 2008
Country: US
Run Time: 81 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
A man who can't walk meets a woman who envies his condition in this offbeat black comedy. Isaac Knott (Nick Stahl) lost the use of his legs when he was eight years old in an auto accident that also claimed the lives of his parents. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Isaac has enjoyed a successful career as the host of a talk show on a New York City public radio outlet. One day, Isaac is told an odd story about a man who arrived at a local hospital and demanded to have his legs amputated; the man was part of a secret subculture of able-bodied folks who wish to be paraplegics, using wheelchairs when they can and attempting to deaden their legs through artificial means. Isaac becomes fascinated with the idea of these wannabes, and begins studying the phenomenon for a piece on his show. Isaac's research leads him to Fiona (Vera Farmiga), a sexy but mysterious blonde who collects and restores Chinese art. Fiona is also the owner of a wheelchair she doesn't really need, and Isaac, who is increasingly attracted to her, wants to know all about her role in the fake-paraplegic underground. However, Fiona isn't about to give away any of her secrets for free, and Isaac discovers that the exchange of information and trust goes deeper the longer they know one another. The first feature film from writer and director Carlos Brooks, Quid Pro Quo received its premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Kate Burton; Jessica Hecht; Dylan Bruno; Rachael Black; Phil LaMarr; Pablo Schreiber; Leonardo Nam; Michal Sinnott; Joshua Leonard; James Frain; Ellen Taylor Marlow
Credit
Beth Kuhn - Art Director, Randi Hiller - Casting, Sarah Halley Finn - Casting, Randi Hiller - Co-producer, Per Melita - Co-producer, Sarah Halley Finn - Co-producer, Eric Daman - Costume Designer, Jason Rody - First Assistant Director, Carlos Brooks - Director, Lauren Zuckerman - Editor, Charles Ireland - Editor, Joana Vicente - Executive Producer, Jason Kliot - Executive Producer, Per Melita - Executive Producer, Mark Cuban - Executive Producer, Todd Wagner - Executive Producer, Mark Mothersbaugh - Composer (Music Score), Robin Urdang - Musical Direction/Supervision, Roshelle Berliner - Production Designer, Michael McDonough - Cinematographer, Sarah Pillsbury - Producer, Midge Sanford - Producer, Sandy Berman - Sound/Sound Designer, Antonio Arroyo - Sound/Sound Designer, Cort Hessler III - Stunts Coordinator, Gene Harrison - Stunts Coordinator, Carlos Brooks - Screenwriter, Dan Schmidt - Visual Effects Supervisor, David John West - Re-Recording Mixer, Engine Room - Visual Effects, Siobhan Flaherty - Set Decorator
The plot involves a semi-paralyzed radio reporter who is sent to investigate a story, leading him to a disturbing subculture and a journey of self-realization.
Critical reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. As of June 13, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 58% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 24 reviews — with the consensus that "Despite a stunning performance by Vera Farmiga, Quid Pro Quo never develops its effective parts into a convincing whole."[3]Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 56 out of 100, based on 11 reviews.[4]
