Movie Review - "The Sessions"

"The Sessions" is the 2012 film based off the true story of Mark O'Brien. John Hawkes plays O'Brien, a 38 year old poet who, after getting polio at the age of six, is paralyzed from the neck down. In addition to his crippled spine, Mark is able to spend but a few short hours of his day outside of an Iron lung to assist him with his breathing.

When Mark desires to finally know the touch of a woman and to loose his virginity, he seeks the advice of Father Brendan (William H. Macy). It's recommended by Mark's therapist that he can seek a sexual surrogate who would tend to his unusual needs. With Father Brendan's blessing, Mark nervously arranges to meet the woman recommended to him. Helen Hunt plays Cheryl Cohen-Greene, a professional sex surrogate as well as an everyday mother and house wife. Cheryl has never quite had a client in Mark's condition and welcomes the the task to help achieve his desires. Throughout the sessions between Cheryl and Mark, the two begin to learn more about each other and themselves then they had imagined.

"The Sessions" is a heartfelt film with moments of emotion and laughter throughout. Helen Hunt reminds us once again that she is an extraordinary actress and rightfully desired the Oscar nomination at this years awards. Though I worried some of the scenes would come off as a bit awkward, the directing by Ben Lewin (who also wrote the screen play) is very artfully done and it never quite crosses that line. The film is rated R for a few moments of graphic nudity so it's one that is aimed at a mature audience. Hawkes, Macy, and Hunt give heartfelt performances and you become emotionally tied to each character immediately. Winner of the audience award for drama at the Sundance Movie festival, "The Sessions" proves yet again that it doesn't take a multi-million dollar budget to make a fantastic movie.

Click here to watch the trailer for "The Sessions"