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Quid Pro Quo
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Justin Chang
    80
    A strikingly original and provocative first feature from scribe-helmer Carlos Brooks.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    This warped masochistic cousin to David Cronenberg's "Crash" - not to be confused with the Oscar winner of the same name - is well worth seeing for Farmiga's stunning performance.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    75
    The story eventually resolves itself a little too neatly, but it never devolves into a freak show or a fable, thanks in large part to Farmiga and Stahl's deft, quirky performances.
  4. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Jenni Miller
    75
    Fans of strange love stories and detective thrillers would do well to investigate this indie gem.
  5. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    70
    The first half of Quid Pro Quo is among the most jaw-dropping things I"ve ever seen: Who knew there was a closeted subculture of people pretending to be paraplegics?
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Carina Chocano
    70
    Stahl and Farmiga give layered, restrained performances that keep what might have been a schlock fest with an improbable twist ending from devolving into trashiness. Instead, Brooks and his actors manage to render an involving and thoughtful story from some pretty dubious material.
  7. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jean Oppenheimer
    50
    Farmiga is captivating, Stahl less so--although a bigger problem is writer/director Carlos Brooks's script, which sets up one story, then shifts gears into something more personal and psychologically specific. That's normally a plus, deepening the viewer's sense of involvement, but the transition here is bumpy and, ultimately, unconvincing.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    50
    After spinning out metaphors of paralysis and eroticism in its characters' feverish imaginations, Quid Pro Quo decides at the last minute that it has to explain everything. The moment it pulls away from the fantastic, it lands with a thud.
  9. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    50
    Quid Pro Quo, a bizarre but audacious debut feature by Carlos Brooks.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    50
    Stahl quietly plays the straight man, giving the usually skillful Farmiga plenty of room to overact with abandon; she plays her character as one part Rosanna Arquette in David Cronenberg's "Crash" to two parts Natalie Portman's magical life-saving pixie in "Garden State."
  11. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    42
    If you were a fan of David Cronenberg's "Crash," based on J.G. Ballard's book about people who get sexually excited by auto accidents, you might just be the target audience for Quid Pro Quo, a perverse psychological drama.
  12. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    40
    While a good director can spin a worthy movie from any subject, first-timer Carlos Brooks does surprisingly little with the jaw-dropper of a topic he chose.
  13. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Reyhan Harmanci
    25
    Quid Pro Quo, billed as a "neo-noir" about a paraplegic journalist drawn into a shadowy world of disability fetishists, is choked by allegory and pretension. It's an O. Henry tale gone wrong.
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. HomeReviewer
    6
    Isaac Knott, played by Isaac Knott is a public radio reporter in New York; he's been in a wheelchair since he was 8, result of an accident that killed his parents. He sets out to investigate a case of extreme Body Integrity Identity Disorder(BIID) not knowing what it is or even that it existed; he discovers there's a subculture of this which he's most curious to try to understand. His character is broken hearted because his ex-girlfriend, also paraplegic, dumped him when he suggested they marry. On his quest to understand BIID, he meets Fiona, played by Vera Farmiga, who he finds interesting and not all that repulsive, considering she appears to be afflicted by BIID and in a progressive stage; she is gorgeous after all, and seduces him. He comes across a pair of shoes he's compelled to own, and when he does put them on they magically gains use of his legs, a freak occurrence that only works he wears them. Up to this point you may feel, as I did, this movie is not going to be one you'll be interested in seeing to the end; I wouldn't blame you, as the subject lends itself to that. However because I really like Vera Farmiga, I stuck it out; can't think another reason one would. The meeting of the two lead characters is not a chance thing; a deep purpose is at play and unfortunately isn't revealed till late in the movie. The connection of the two leads and that purpose I mentioned was well conceived, I have to admit. You'll also learn about another disorder, hysterical paralysis, thanks to the very good writing by writer/director Carlos Brooks in his debut work. If you have the stomach for that sort of thing watch it, you may learn something. There are unavoidable comparisons one can make to the 1996 David Cronenberg's film Crash, but I won't. I also won't be mentioning or recommending this film to my friends; they may think I'm even more twisted than I sound at times, but I'm not. What I am is a movie buff with a broad interest and if you are as well, you may find it interesting.… Full Review »
  2. JayH.
    6
    Nick Stahl is an amazing actor, I think he will be a well know actor one day. The story is good, well directed and interesting. Beautifully photographed, stylishly done, and very well acted.… Full Review »
  3. Abasios
    9
    An excellent independent movie dealing with a difficult subject area - BIID, abasiophilia, disability wannabes and devotees - that few understand. The movie treats the subject matter in a non-sensational way and the acting and drama are superb. This deserves a much wider showing than the artsy cinema circuits in which such movies are usually confined. This movie beats Hollywood fodder hands down and comes over more in the style of the better European movies.… Full Review »
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