The Sessions
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.
- Director:
- Ben Lewin ('Lucky Break', 'Georgia')
- Writer:
- Ben Lewin
- Cast:
- John HawkesHelen HuntWilliam H. MacyMoon Bloodgood,Annika MarksW. Earl BrownBlake LindsleyAdam Arkin
Reviews & comments
Crippled Cutie
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...
2.5 Stars
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...
Total Film
pressAided by committed, awards-ready performance, 'The Sessions' transforms 'taboo' subject matter into a humorous, humane and uncomplicated pleasure.
Time Out
pressThe real heat of 'The Sessions' comes from its pitch-perfect sense of place, the free-spirited Berkeley of the 1980s.
The New York Times
pressA pleasant shock: a touching, profoundly sex-positive film that equates sex with intimacy, tenderness and emotional connection instead of performance, competition and conquest.
The Guardian
pressThe transactions, O'Brien's growing self-awareness and the effect on those around him are explored with grace, humour and tenderness.
Roger Ebert
pressMark 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressIn 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAt 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.
Box Office Magazine
pressThe 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.
Total Film
pressAided by committed, awards-ready performance, 'The Sessions' transforms 'taboo' subject matter into a humorous, humane and uncomplicated pleasure.
Time Out
pressThe real heat of 'The Sessions' comes from its pitch-perfect sense of place, the free-spirited Berkeley of the 1980s.
The New York Times
pressA pleasant shock: a touching, profoundly sex-positive film that equates sex with intimacy, tenderness and emotional connection instead of performance, competition and conquest.
The Guardian
pressThe transactions, O'Brien's growing self-awareness and the effect on those around him are explored with grace, humour and tenderness.
Roger Ebert
pressMark 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressIn 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressAt 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.
Box Office Magazine
pressThe 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.
Crippled Cutie
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...
2.5 Stars
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...
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