The Sessions (2012)
Sex scenes, sexual references and themes
| Director: | Ben Lewin |
| Actors: | John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy, Moon Bloodgood, W. Earl Brown, Adam Arkin, Annika Marks |
Based on the autobiographical writings of Berkeley, California–based journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, The Sessions chronicles his attempt to transcend the limbo between childhood and adulthood, in which he is literally trapped. With the blessing of an unusual priest and support from enlightened caregivers, the poignantly optimistic and always droll O’Brien swallows his fear and hires a sex surrogate. What transpires over a handful of sessions transforms them both.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 95mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Good intent
by Richard Haridy, 7/08/2012 3:12:00 PM
The Sessions is a tender, well-intentioned examination of a disabled man exploring his sexual identity, but sometimes a film needs more than just good intentions. Australian writer-director Ben Lewin delivers his first movie in 18 years and while it's clear this is a very personal and important story for him to tell, the picture is ultimately too deferential to its central character and unwilling to bring any significant dramatic conflict into play. The Sessions is based on the true story of Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes), who lives his life paralysed from the neck down after being struck with polio as a child. O'Brien still has complete sensation over his body and spends much of his time in an iron lung. At the age of 38, O'Brien vowed to finally lose his virginity, hiring a 'sex surrogate' ...
The Sessions is a tender, well-intentioned examination of a disabled man exploring his sexual identity, but sometimes a film needs more than just good intentions. Australian writer-director Ben Lewin delivers his first movie in 18 years and while it's clear this is a very personal and important story for him to tell, the picture is ultimately too deferential to its central character and unwilling to bring any significant dramatic conflict into play.
The Sessions is based on the true story of Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes), who lives his life paralysed from the neck down after being struck with polio as a child. O'Brien still has complete sensation over his body and spends much of his time in an iron lung. At the age of 38, O'Brien vowed to finally lose his virginity, hiring a 'sex surrogate' (Helen Hunt) to assist him in this journey.
Lewin, having suffered through polio himself, obviously empathises greatly with O'Brien's story and Hawkes' performance is charmingly gentle. Unfortunately, this sensitivity ends up being the film's great weakness and The Sessions resembles a eulogy where no one dares say a bad word about the deceased. This results in a frustratingly vanilla portrait of O'Brien as an affable, wise-cracking cripple that everyone ends up falling in love with. Even his solitary moments are simply a guy in an iron lung making jokes with his cat.
Despite the one-dimensional simplicity of these moments, the frankness of the actual 'sessions' is refreshing. These sequences (played bravely by Helen Hunt and Hawkes) are some of the most candidly sexual moments I've yet seen in an American feature. Strangely enough, Hunt played an similar role – to much greater effect – 20 years ago with Eric Stoltz in The Waterdance.
The Sessions is sure to be warmly received by audiences upon release but those seeking a serious insight into these issues should look elsewhere. The Sessions is a strangely bland combination of feel-good drama and sexual bluntness that is exasperatingly slight.
2.5/5
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Member Reviews (15)
15 Member
Reviews
MARY
says
A wonderful script. A wonderful cast. I don't know how anybody could not love this movie. Based on a really brave and funny human being who overcame unbelievable odds. As a catholic I could really relate to his feelings. You will laugh and cry and when it is finished I hope you will have the same reaction as I did and come to fully appreciate the disabled and their carers. It is important to overlook the disability and see the person. Full credit to the directors and producers for a remarkable story brought to the screen.
sue
says
Well acted, profesional, good storyline.
Angellen
says
Absolutely loved this movie... so poignant .... every actor is superb in their role.
Harlowe
says
Beautiful ! The mortal coil - all that we are. - all that we aren't - all that we wish to be - that goes for the able bodied. The spirit of this man almost makes his disability incidental. It's the people around him who really need to examine their lives. Helen Hunt is exquisite. She is underrated as an actress in my view.
Glen
says
This movie gives insight to a world most people do not know or think about.
It's a movie about love and compassion, Well worth a watch.
Aaron Ramon Ki Re
says
Excellent drama dealing with disabled people and sexuality, tastefully done and the sex scenes are touching (no pun intended) and amusing. A movie that shows us no matter what we are we all have desires and needs. Highly recommended viewing.
Otto
says
A touching and sometimes sad story, quite well portayed. William Macy is great as the priest. I do wonder about a "sex therapist" having unprotected sex with her client though. Not a movie for the prudish.
Diane
says
excellent in every respect - story based on fact, wonderful acting. Highly recommended.
Bavin
says
This is an original movie about a topic not before covered: the sexuality of the disabled. Nothing is over-romanticised as everything is portrayed in a matter-of-fact tone. The acting is top class, particularly John Hawkes who is excellent. There is genuine warmth and gentle humour in this cheerfully courageous film.
gerd
says
For a movie about sex, very little is seen of sex or the relevant body parts, apart from Helen Hunt's breasts. That aside, it's a remarkable and moving film, possibly spoilt by all the media comment and revelations about the movie when it was released. Thus there are few surprises, apart from the coyness.
Marg O
says
Great film and very sensitively handled.
Janette
says
Excellent movie - it was done very well. And William H Macy as the priest was excellent too.
Colin
says
Superb movie. I really "ummed and erred" about getting this one out. I don't usually like dramas about taboo subjects because I'm usually more of a popcorn action flick kinda guy. However, I'm really glad I watched this, it's well worth a look. Superb acting by the whole cast really makes this movie shine. I was surprised at the humour that was injected into a very awkward subject. I recommend everyone invest the 1.5 hours into this movie, you'll be glad you did. If anything, you'll really appreciate the cast's top rate acting, especially Helen Hunt's extremely courageous portrayal.
Carolyn
says
An insight in the vulnerability and desires of the disabled, something many able bodied people would rarely think about. I would give this 3.5 Stars if it were possible....
Johnson
says
A good watch, if a touch self-congratulatory (do women fall in love so easily?). Poetic license perhaps, but there's some superb acting here, and Helen Hunt is looking surprisingly well preserved...