While following up on an anonymous tip, semi-paralyzed, wheelchair-bound reporter Isaac Knott (Nick Stahl) meets enigmatic artist Fiona (Vera Farmiga), and discovers a netherworld of disaffected people with a perverse desire to be disabled, becoming simultaneously fascinated and repulsed by the story of a man who has tried to bribe a doctor into amputating one of his perfectly healthy limbs. Part psychological drama and part detective story, the haunting Quid Pro Quo features some neo-noir trappings but avoids anything that might smack of the lurid or exploitative. Promising new filmmaker Carlos Brooks initially handles controversial material quite skillfully, although he does resort to conventional narrative techniques in the third act, when Isaac learns that Fiona is using him to further her own agenda. At times almost surreal, this consistently interesting film derives much of its effectiveness from the restrained, nuanced performances of Stahl and Farmiga (this is a real triumph for the up-and-coming latter, whose offbeat, daring characterizations in films like Never Forever are winning her a loyal if still small constituency). Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include deleted scenes (10 min.), excerpted footage from Melody Gilbert's thematically-related 2003 documentary “Whole” (11 min.), audition tapes of stars Vera Farmiga (6 min.) and Nick Stahl (5 min.), four minutes of storyboards, a tulip montage (2 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an interesting film.] (E. Hulse)
Quid Pro Quo
Magnolia, 82 min., R, DVD: $26.99, Aug. 19 Volume 23, Issue 5
Quid Pro Quo
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