Quid Pro Quo DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Psychological Thriller Coming to DVD Explores a Bizarre Erotic Compulsion

On April 5, 1989, Isaac Knott (Nick Stahl) survived a horrible automobile accident in which both of his parents (Michal Sinnott and Joshua Leonard) perished. Not only did the grieving eight year-old have to handle the emotional burden of suddenly being orphaned, but he also had to adjust to being a paraplegic, and the frustration caused by the overwhelming urge to stand up and walk again.
Fortunately, Isaac never let the infirmity hold him back, and he went on to become a successful radio reporter in New York City. In this capacity, he receives an anonymous tip about a man who has asked a doctor to amputate one of his perfectly good legs. Curious about why anyone would want to be a cripple, the intrepid journalist decides to determine whether there’s any truth to the bizarre rumor.
His ensuing investigation leads to Fiona (Vera Farmiga), a curator of Chinese artifacts who confesses to having her own erotic compulsion to become physically handicapped. As she explains it, she thinks of herself as a paralyzed person in a healthy body. What’s more, she offers to introduce Isaac to other weirdoes who share her mental disorder. Soon, he finds himself immersed in a kinky subculture he had no idea existed.
This is the deceptive premise of Quid Pro Quo, a twisted psychological thriller marking the brilliant, if decidedly macabre, directorial debut of Carlos Brooks. However, the film is far more than a well-crafted conundrum exploring the motivations of confused wannabe cripples. For, en route to uncovering the answers, sexual tension and other surprises arise between the protagonists, and the two take out time to pursue both passion and the past.
An outsider adventure strictly for the very open-minded, presenting the numbness of paralysis, ironically, as a potential source of paroxysms of pleasure.

Very Good (3 stars)
Rated R for sexuality and profanity.
Running time: 82 minutes
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
DVD Extras: Commentary and deleted scenes.

To see a trailer of Quid Pro Quo, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EHeQm5oYkw