Audience Award winner at Sundance 2012, the story of a man (John Hawkes), paralysed from the neck down, determined to lose his virginity at the age of 38 – with the help of a sex therapist (Helen Hunt) and the guidance of his priest (William H. Macy). Based on the true story of California-based journalist and poet Mark O'Brien who became paralysed and confined to an iron lung due to polio.
Mighty Ape
DVD
$34.99
What could have been saccharine awards-baiting B.S. becomes humane, life-affirming drama about far more than say, a rich regent with a stutter. John Hawkes has never been more watchable or witty as he is here, portraying Mark O'Brien, the Californian writer, paralyzed by polio. A 38-year-old virgin, O’Brien hires Cheryl, a sex surrogate, played by Helen Hunt. To say the two leads are “brave” may risk sounding condescending – but they are. Many actors might think twice about the film’s frank portrayal of sex and disability, but Hunt and Hawkes deliver wry, witty and wise performances. As do the entire cast, especially William H. Macy as O’Brien’s surprisingly open-minded Catholic priest. More
Writer/director Ben Lewin is a polio survivor himself, which may go some way to explaining how he pulls off the delicate balance between maudlin sentimentality and moving drama. The film benefits from a first-rate and often very funny script, and a committed cast delivering pitch perfect performances that, like Marco Beltrami’s score and Geoffrey Simpson’s cinematography, shirk attention- seeking theatrics for subtle honesty.
The Sessions is moving, funny, thought-provoking adult drama that manages to impress without ever beating you over the head telling you what to think. As O’Brien says at one point: “I can be a bit time consuming, but I’m worth the trouble.” And this tale of his life sure is – especially for those that like less bang and more human behaviour for their buck. Hide
4 ratings and 5 reviews
Heart warming; read Hollywood can't help itself. Bound to win academy awards.Not as humorous as the shorts imply, and unconvincing in parts, although could be alot worse. Great acting. It's ok, thats all.
Rarely do we get such a beautifully crafted, acted and written story for adult cinemagoers who want something to entertain the brain - but THE SESSIONS delivers suberb entertainment. Wonderful. We loved it.
The Flicks review nails it. Great movie. Loved it. Helen Hunt should be an Oscar lock.
Another very average movie. I didnt feel like they overly bonded, but they suddenly seemed very attached to each other... unrealistic. Im not a fan of Helen and she certainly plays the same personality in this movie as she does in many others - kind of cold and kind of bitchy. As with any real-life story they try and 'drama-it-up' to make it more watchable. I say wait for the DVD.
A brilliant portrait of a man who never lost his dignity and sense of humour even though he was severely handicapped.
A beacon of hope to all those who feel that love is purely based on looks and status...this individual had neither but still had the elusive x factor thanks largely to his degree of articulation.
The movie asked some potent questions....can passion and professional integrity really be mutually exclusive events....is a person crippled by physical deformity or attitude.....can a man live by religion alone...
I enjoyed this movie and can highly recommend it to others.
The emotional journey is articulated with so much nuance, and such a vigorous belief in human possibility, that everything [The Sessions] touches becomes its own, and is made new. Full review.
Mark is played by John Hawkes, who has emerged in recent years as an actor of amazing versatility. What he does here is not only physically challenging, but requires timing and emotion to elevate the story into realms of deep feeling and, astonishingly, even comedy. Full review.
At once entirely frank and downright cuddly in the way it deals with the seldom-visited subject of the sex lives of people with disabilities, this well-acted and constructed film will, at the very least, turn the spotlight on this unusual topic. Full review.
The real heat of 'The Sessions' comes from its pitch-perfect sense of place, the free-spirited Berkeley of the 1980s. Full review.
Aided by committed, awards-ready performance, 'The Sessions' transforms 'taboo' subject matter into a humorous, humane and uncomplicated pleasure. Full review.
The transactions, O'Brien's growing self-awareness and the effect on those around him are explored with grace, humour and tenderness. Full review.
In a country that embraces cinematic violence with such ease but blushingly prefers to keep sex in the shadows or under the sheets, the grown-up approach of "The Sessions" is rare. Full review.
A pleasant shock: a touching, profoundly sex-positive film that equates sex with intimacy, tenderness and emotional connection instead of performance, competition and conquest. Full review.
Looks brilliant
Please please please find a cinema release...
beautifully sweet
could be really good, could be really bad
Just saw it at Toronto Film Festival. Can't wait to see again.
Who's the random writer/director with the kiwi accent? Ben Lewin, i feel bad that i've never heard of you!
So keen!
Yeah I reckon!
Saw it last weekend - wonderful movie. Best grown up film I've seen all year.
Uplifting & beautiful - funny & moving too. Magnificient!