Quid Pro Quo (I) (2008)

A semi-paralyzed radio reporter is sent out to investigate a story that leads him into an odd subculture and on a journey of disturbing self-realization.

Director:

Carlos Brooks

Writer:

Carlos Brooks

Stars:

Nick Stahl, Rachel Black, Jessica Hecht

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Stahl	...	Isaac Knott
Rachel Black	...	Janice Musslewhite
Jessica Hecht	...	Edie
Jacob Pitts	...	Hugh
Ashlie Atkinson	...	Candy
Jamie McShane	...	Man on Sidewalk
Pablo Schreiber	...	Brooster
Jeane Fournier	...	Charlene Coke
Carmela Marner	...	A Female Wannabe
Phil LaMarr	...	Wannabe Group Leader
Matthew Carey	...	A Male Wannabe
Ben Siegler	...	Man with Trachea Tube
Michal Sinnott	...	Isaac's Mom
Joshua Leonard	...	Isaac's Dad
Vera Farmiga	...	Fiona

Storyline

Isaac Knott is a public radio reporter in New York, in a wheelchair since an auto accident in which his parents died. He's on the rebound from a relationship when he gets a tip about people who want to be disabled, who offer money to interns to cut off a limb. He searches out a group of these wannabes, but none will talk to him. Then he meets his tipster, Fiona Ankany, an art conservator, attractive and attracted to him. She discloses her desire to be disabled, to be in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Isaac tries on a pair of wing-tips, spectators, that restore feeling to his feet. What are the connections? What's Fiona's quid pro quo? Will Isaac get his story?

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Plot Keywords:

wheelchair | reporter | art | wannabe | radio reporter | 

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Taglines:

A strange new American dream.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Valamit, valamiért

Filming Locations:

La Conner, Washington, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,395 (USA) (13 June 2008)

Gross:

$7,395 (USA) (13 June 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

HDNet Films, Sanford/Pillsbury Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Isaac: I don't remember *any* of what I'm about to tell you. I only know what the police and coroner's report said. But on the morning of April 5th, 1989, a high-speed car crash occurred, on a rural highway in upstate New York. There were 2 fatalities: my mother died on impact, my father died of hemorrhaging from a torn pulmonary vein and massive internal injuries. I'm listed as a male survivor, approximately 8 years of age. We were going down a road. Nobody had said much of anything yet....

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

"Jake Walk Blues"
Written by Austin Allen and Lee Allen
Performed by The Allen Brothers
Courtesy of The Viper Label

User Reviews

An Interesting Character Study

Quid Pro Quo is a character study focusing on people who wish they were paraplegics or amputees, and their interaction with an actual paraplegic. The film's greatest attribute is its performances. Vera Farmiga and Nick Stahl both create excellent portrayals of their characters, with Farmiga's performance being particularly moving.

Although many reviewers have compared this piece to David Cronenberg's Crash, this movie is actually a far different work. Whereas the Cronenberg movie, like the J. G. Ballard novel it was based on, took a very cold, analytical look at its subject matter, this film delves into their psychology. It is a much easier film to engage with, and ultimately more rewarding as well.

The film is not perfect by any means. Its focus on sex as empowerment comes across as oversimplified and even vaguely insulting to the disabled. Furthermore, the plot developments that comprise the last ten minutes of the movie border on the absurd, and survive largely on the strength of the actors' performances.

Nonetheless, the film is well worth a watch.