The Sessions
Based on the true life story of Mark O’Brien (John Hawkes), a man struck with polio as a young boy who’s been confined to a gurney and an iron lung for the last 30 plus years. A poet and highly educated man as well as a devout catholic Mark turns to the church and his priest Father Brendan (William H. Macy) for emotional support. Feeling his expiration date is drawing near Mark seeks council on his desires to love and be loved, physically and emotionally. With Father Brendan’s blessing, nervous Mark ventures on a journey to become a man with the help of a sexual surrogate named Cheryl (Helen Hunt). Through Cheryl’s teachings and his further experiences Mark learns of love and what it means to be loved, but this is just the beginning, what wonders lay ahead for Mark?
Touching screenplay and heartfelt acting from the ensemble, possible Oscar nods are in plain sight here. Writer/Director Ben Lewin has managed to combine the perfect blend of levity to serious material, making for a potent dramatic comedy that at times will have you laughing over the next line saying “wait wait, this is important I didn’t catch all of that.†And, while not appropriate for all audiences due to the semi-graphic concepts contained within, the overall message about life is beautiful and worthy of attention from all. Worth your consideration, The Sessions is rated R.