Seen: Jun 24th, 2008
Format: Broadcast (HDNMv-NDNet Movies)
Rating: 6
HDNet is doing a pretty cool thing. They're producing films. Pretty decent ones. And they're distributing them via Magnolia, but previewing them, in HD, right into my media room.
This, I like.
Quid Pro Quo hooked me via trailers on HDNet by having two qualities I look for in film; a twisted and edgy premise, and Vera Farmiga.
Vera's a wonder. She a wonderful actress, a veritable chameleon. She inhabits characters in a rare fashion. I was first struck by her work in a bad Paul Walker vehicle Running Scared, which should have been a disaster, but somehow saved itself. I'll stop now before I get myself in trouble, except to say that she definitely delivers again here.
Nick Stahl delivers as while. His repressed, internalized portrayal. of Isaac is impressive. While some of the places Isaac is required to go are a stretch, he seems to pull them back to the land of the possible.
The subject matter of the film is eerie. We have two attractive people playing in a world of the twisted and even sick. They're outer beauty belies their inner corruption. They are not evil, and we can have compassion for the things they feel, the things they are compelled to pursue.
While brave, this juxtaposition is also the ultimate Achilles heel of the film. It strays to the brink and rather than plunging over, claws it's way back toward normalcy by way of resolution. Our characters are given excuses for the behavior, excusing them from the bizarre frailties that made them interesting. They don't need excuses. They don't need redemption. Allowing them to escape frees us from their confines as well; having invested so much to get to this point, it's quite unfair.
Despite this ultimate foible, the film is well executed. The story is compelling. The characters and their relationships interesting. The style suits the film well. It's interesting and immersive but not oppressive. The rest of the details fall in line as well.
In all, it's more of an interesting exercise than a complete work. There are moments of sheer brilliance here, but in the end, like so many, I felt a little bit cheated.
The Good: Strong acting and design
The Bad: An unfortunate twist
The Ugly: Wanting to give up what someone else hasn't got
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