Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Pluskylang Great Film overall

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com The struggle of personal enrichment in life is a confusing path for many people. It really takes concentration and self-control in the individual to think about what they want and what moves them to have this desire. This particular journey is more difficult for others who have specific limitations. When a person has a healthy and able body, they have the power to do anything they set themselves and minds to. For people who have physical disabilities, this power is capped off depending on where their disability lies. For people with Poliomyelitis or Polio for short, their limitations lies in the physical reality. Every sensory and mental activity remains unchanged, but the strength to move certain muscles have vanished. In today's time, doctors have helped in the prevention of this life changing disease and in most cases things end up fine. However, there are still people that become infected and lose the required muscle control to function normally. This is the story of man with that disease who tested his destiny.Based on an article written by Mark O'Brien and adapted by Ben Lewin as writer/director to this film, this biopic tells the emotional journey of man just looking to achieve a small accomplishment. Renowned poet Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes - Identity (2003) and American Gangster (2007)) has been a polio victim since he was six years old. Paralyzed from the neck down, living in an iron lung machine day-in-day-out, and tired of caretakers who look at him like he's a chore, decides one day that it's time for a change. The biggest change he wants is to lose his virginity. Seeking advice he goes to Father Brendan (William H. Macy) to see what he should do. At first he thinks he's onto something when his new attendee Amanda (Annika Marks) really enjoys his company, but it turns out he got too attached. Making calls he's given contact information to Cheryl (Helen Hunt - What Women Want (2000)), a professional sex surrogate and therapist Vera (Moon Bloodgood).Scriptwise, writer/director Ben Lewin has created such touching story. Considering the last script he was ever credited for was back in 1994, that's very impressive. Most of the time when writers and directors have that long of a hiatus, they are no longer in touch with what is currently trending with contemporary audiences when they return. Each lead and main supporting character are exceptionally developed and charming simultaneously. John Hawkes as Mark O'Brien sounds feeble but he does have an energetic spirit for a man who can only move his head. He's even got a bit of a foul mouth. William H. Macy as Father Brendan is comical because of his profession and trying to accept O'Brien's situation at the same time. How many times do priests have to listen to that kind of a story - one that goes against the teachings of god? Even Moon Bloodgood's role that is initially not the most talkative to O'Brien warms up to him.Helen Hunt as O'Brien's surrogate is astounding. To play such a revealing role (and at being close to 50 at the time) is extremely courageous. Aside from her profession though, she makes her role very appealing through her personality and analytical skills too. Her chemistry with Hawkes is quirky at first but does develop into a touching connection with each other. The only problem in Lewin's script is that Hunt's role doesn't make a lot of sense, pertaining to her life. For her profession, one would think she would live solo, but no. She has a husband (Adam Arkin) who is aware of what she does and isn't very concerned and also has a son (not mentioned if he knows). It's a bit odd to be honest. Controversial indeed. How does a family stick together through that,...beats me. This is it though. What's also great about Lewin's writing is that he also covers how and why getting too attached to someone can be harmful. One can be so caught up in it that they forget it's business.This is why situations like these are difficult to handle. An experience like that is so personal that realizing that it's not real can be very destructive to one's self esteem. The camera-work by Geoffrey Simpson (Life (1999)) was well done. Every scene was brightly lit and completely displays to its audience what they should be seeing. This is from the point of where viewers are introduced to O'Brien in the iron lung, to his travels, where people take of him and when he spends time with others. The more sensual scenes between Hawke and Hunt are pretty graphic but much is hidden too. The music is another step up. Composer Marco Beltrami worked on this project and although his score is much shorter in entirety, it is nothing like his other prior works. Beltrami has a main theme and instead of relying on full orchestra, he calls upon plucking cellos, piano and some synth soundscape. Beltrami is usually bombast in his horror scores but this is a complete 180 change that should be heard.Helen Hunt's character is really the only one who has a strange lifestyle throughout the film, which makes it questionable but other than this, all characters (including hers) are highly developed. Every scene is well lit, the script is remarkably touching, the actors all perform well and the music by usual horror composer Marco Beltrami demonstrates his capability that he can create music for other genres as well with a very simplistic yet emotional score.

GeoPierpont Shocking that Helen Hunt took on this role, it posed a real challenge. Just saw her in "Twister" hours earlier and it was hard to make the transition. However, I am so glad she did this. Her acting skills in the tenderness, caring, and empathy department are unparalleled. The connection she established in such a short time frame, within a professional environment, was nothing short of amazing.I related to his crippling disability and the limitations of life that he sought to overcome, albeit with humor and a great attitude. Anyone who has experienced this situation would not pass judgement on his need for intimacy and connection. His priest, the venerable Mr. Macy, was a total crackup and one that would never last in my congregation. San Francisco, love it or hate it, does embrace the fringe of society which includes those who don't fit in physically.I actually learned something about setting boundaries, a tough subject to address with impact. I thought she was a bit rough addressing his sensitive concerns, but found her forceful nature made him calmer with her confidence. Talking so directly about physical intimacy is hard to do, especially when you are young, but is a challenge even in later years. I found her manner interesting and something to consider for future encounters.I was surprised to find this film so deeply emotional. Most likely due to the extremely heartfelt acting, the tragic situation, the uplifting triumph, and the inspirational ending. High recommend for disabled isolated outcasts, those looking for a loving connection and a solid religious interaction.

edwagreen Can a 38 year old man using an iron lung for survival become sexually active to fulfill his desires? This is essentially what the movie is about. Yes, it is a true story, and no, it should have never been made. While I'm sorry for the gentleman, this need not be discussed on the screen.William H. Macy plays the renegade, modern priest who listens to all this and Helen Hunt, totally unrecognizable, is the surrogate sex therapist hired to have sessions with John Hawkes so as to make him a man.Hunt who in the film is married to Adam Arkin and in the process of converting to Judaism, goes to Mikvah (the ritual bath) and is led by Rhea Perlman, of all people. I thought this was almost comic was viewing that scene.There are certain things in life that we should use common sense and know what is virtuous and not be discussed. The subject matter of this film is a prime example.

Chris L With The Sessions, Ben Lewis delivers an intimist and very sensitive movie about this man who is going to discover his sexuality and find love at the same time.The excellent John Hawkes embodies the endearing Mark O'Brien with an undeniable accuracy and the quest of this character trapped in an iron lung is depicted with a sweet and sour tone and a lot of humour.Despite the movie being pretty well made, it it still difficult to be really passionate about this story probably because of the slight lack of rhythm and the relative redundancy of the action.However, The Sessions deserves credit for tackling in a beautiful way, and without any melodramaticism, such a difficult subject.