The Sessions

Mark O'Brien, a gifted poet and writer and the subject of this marvelous biopic, was stricken with polio as a young child. Still maintaining sensitivity to touch, he lost the use of most muscles and lived out his life in an iron lung, with 4 hours a day outside it, aided by a portable respirator. As we meet up with him in this screenplay, he is 38, and what still works are his great mind, his speech, his humor, and his penis. He longs to experience intercourse with a woman, "before the expiration date"-- his great line. Playing this role so excellently and authentically is John Hawkes. Helen Hunt is Cheryl Cohen-Greene, the sex surrogate. She shines here in the most natural, honest way, displaying her nudity and commitment with pure grace, as she helps Mark realize his dream. William H. Macy is also extraordinary as Father Brendan, in whom Mark confides all his romantic and sexual dreams and to whom he recounts all the details of the therapy. Father Brendan compassionately suspends all judgement and becomes a great support for Mark in this sexual journey, adding that he believes God is giving him "a free pass" in this pursuit. Ben Lewin is the wise and insightful writer and director, who utilizes much of Mark's own writing and thoughts in the construction of this exceptional film. In fact, all filmmaking disciplines are on point. The photography is excellent. The acting is brilliant, even in the supporting cast. I have to offer up a serious superlative here-- this is one of the best films ever!

I love this movie! As usual, I wanted to make sure I saw all the movies up for Academy Awards. At the last minute (Saturday before the big day) I watched Argo (not so much) and The Sessions. OMG! I watched it once and then watched it again a couple of hours later. Then I watched it again on Sunday. Then again on Monday. I will probably watch it again today now that I am thinking about it while writing this review. This is a sweet, lovely, funny, poignant, endearing story. It is a real story and is local and current for me. I lived in the Bay Area in the 1980's when Mark O'Brian (played convincingly by John Hawkes) was living in Berkeley and having this wonderful adventure. At the age of 38, this brave poet who lived motionless in an iron lung 20 hours per day with no ability to move any part of his body other than his head ... and, oh yeah, his penis ... decides that he wants to have sex. With the help of a sex therapist / surrogate played exquisitely by Helen Hunt, and his priest played hysterically by William Macy, Mark turns mission impossible into one of the most tender human connection ... and, yes ... even love stories. I laughed and I wept. Every time I watch this precious movie I see something new that cracks me up -- either in laughter or tears -- or both at the same time. This movie is all about sex, but it is not titillating or kinky or an any way offensive. It is beautiful. Helen Hunt is the perfect Cheryl - lovely in every way. William Macy is the wild card -- what a perfect man to play the sincere yet sort of odd ball priest. I can't imagine what John Hawlkes had to do to be able to play Mark in such a believable way. Moon Bloodgood is magnificent as Vera, Mark's attendant during his poignant journey to "full-blooded male homo sapianhood".

I enjoyed this movie, Mark O'Brien was a very likable, incredible man who was able to maintain a great sense of humor even in a life that offered the average person every reason to just shut down and give up, not only was he doomed to a life in an iron lung, he also had to deal with a great amount of guilt that started with Polio and included the death of a sibling. Every character in this story was extraordinary from the Priest to every caretaker. I laughed and cried I did appreciate that the producers were able to maintain a sense of dignity in showing the public what was required for Mark to fulfill his dreams of being a complete man. Jody Foster, John Hawks and William H. Macey were perfectly cast.

Like many, I may have initially been interested in this movie for it's subject matter and perhaps an expectation of something light, humorous and a a strong cast. Well you get all those things, but mostly you get an incredibly moving and emotional experience. The cast as expected were wonderful. John Hawkes was so good as Mark O'Brien that is was probably 30 minutes into the movie that I recognized him as one of the cast of Identity - he was incredibly convincing as man smitten by polio. Helen Hunt too was a perfect choice. The real-life woman she plays (she is shown in some of the extras) was an extraordinary woman too and Helen played the role boldly. There is nudity - Helen Hunt's character (and by extension, sex surrogates in general) are not coy. It is a comfort in fact to see a real woman - beautiful but real and age appropriate - in a movie, where there is usually so muc pressure to only show the sleekest of bodies. There is humor too - but it is the kind of humor we experience in real life - the movie is not played in any way for laughs. Nor does it overly sentimentalize Mark, his condition and his hopes. Life can be cruel but we can be lucky to encounter people who will be kind and who will love us (in whatever way they can). This is a wonderful movie - but be prepared to be emotionally affected. I watched it alone and still couldn't avoid choking up as I watched. Why it didn't feature more in the Academy Awards is a mystery - though Helen Hunt did get nominated for Best Supporting Actress. John Hawkes deserved an Oscar nomination too in my opinion.

I love this movie. Every time I watch it I am laughing out loud one moment and then have a tear in my eye the next. Every actor turns in a brilliant performance that is real and subtle, but so full of meaning. Of course, they also have a brilliant script to work with and the director and editor do a wonderful job of drawing the viewer into the story. I am sure there are some people who find the whole concept shocking even now, but for me it is a beautiful film that really makes you appreciate life.

Heart warming

マーケットプレイスで安かったので購入しました。国内版の半額以下です。いきなり日本語で著作権の警告が出てきたので、 もしや日本語字幕入りかと思いきや、入っていませんでした。２０ヵ国以上の字幕が入っているのに、日本語がないのは、高い 国内版を売るためなのかな。削除シーン、メイキング、予告編が入っており、日本語字幕と吹替えがないこと以外は、国内版と 同じようです。 映画としては、寝たきりで人口呼吸器で生活する主人公のセックス体験がメインストーリーとなっています。たいへんな生活 を描くだけでも立派な映画になるところ、セックスの悩みに絞って描いているところがユニークです。実際にセックスもするセックス セラピスト、代理セックスというのも、はじめて知りました。映画の創作かと思いきや、なんと実在するんですね。今は亡くなって しまった主人公の書いた原作がもとになっています。メイキングでは、監督、出演者と一緒にこのセックスセラピストも出演。 ユーモアたっぷりに描かれている映画ですが、実話であることに、たいへん驚きました。 寝たきりの主人公を演じるJOHN HAWKESという俳優さん、素晴らしい熱演です。メイキングで出てくる姿からは、同一人物と 思えなかった。大胆なオールヌード（劇場では修正入らなかったのかな？）を見せるヘレン・ハントも素晴らしい。彼女、誰を演じて も常にヘレン・ハントならではの魅力があって好きな女優さんです。ブルーレイで見ると顔の小じわやらがくっきり、映ってしまうの ですが、なんとも魅力的だなあ。他にウィリアム・H・メイシーが共演。それにしても実在のこの主人公の、原作の魅力をきっちりと 伝えるJOHN HAWKESの演技は見事です。心地よい音楽も良く、夏のボストン？の緑多い風景も良し。なかなかの傑作です。

Very enjoyable low key movie. Brilliant acting and a great true story. William H Macy is particularly amusing. Nice picture quality. Highly recommended. Decent purchase price.

Film bello, intelligente e poetico. Una storia vera capace di fare riflettere su un argomento, da noi, ancora tabù. Poteva scivolare nel patetico o peggio, e invece regista e attori tengono le redini perfettamente. Da recuperare.