Recently Released on Blu Ray and DVD - "The Sessions" - This based on a true story/slice of life tale of a polio victim (John Hawkes) who is paralyzed from the neck down and his sessions with a sexual surrogate (Helen Hunt) is one of the more powerful films of the last few years. It's an excellently written and perfectly acted Drama of the first order that's funny, intelligent, heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring - those interested in the subject matter will play hell getting through it without shedding a few tears. Directed by fellow polio victim, Ben Lewin, and based on O'Brien's own essay, "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" (which appeared in the Sun magazine in 1990), the subject matter comes across as heartfelt and personal throughout. Be forewarned- it's situations and dialogue are very frank, though handled with care, respect and sprinkles of tasteful humor.
John Hawkes (Identity) is brilliant as the 38 year old poet and journalist, Mark O'Brien, a polio survivor who spent the majority of his life confined to an iron lung after a battle with the disease at the age of 6. Determined to overcome the obstacles of his disability and conquer the mystery of sex, O'Brien decides to employ a sexual surrogate. Some may recall O'Brien as the subject of the 1997 documentary, Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien. Hawkes gives an entirely believable and undeniably charismatic performance that will stick with me for quite some time to come- his wit, charm and indomitable spirit won me over rather quickly. That Hawkes wasn't nominated for an Academy Award in the field of Best Actor for the role (he would have been my pick as the clear-cut frontrunner) was the final straw in me ever giving two sh*ts about the complete sham that has become of the Oscars- in my opinion, it now bears as much "prestige" as the Nobel Peace Prize...
Helen Hunt is also outstanding as "Cheryl Cohen Greene", the professional surrogate who develops feelings for O'Brien- there's a genuine depth on display here in a tender, complex role that makes one wonder why we haven't seen Hunt onscreen in more higher profile films- especially since her excellent performance in 1997's As Good As It Gets. Expect quite a few scenes of Hunt in her birthday suit- the years (and her self-professed love of sunshine) have put quite a few lines upon her face, but she's kept her body in amazing shape...
William H. Macy plays one of the cooler Catholic Priests of recent memory while Annika Marks is very good as a care-worker involved in a heartbreaking story arc. Moon Bloodgood (Terminator: Salvation) puts in solid, understated work as a likeable care-worker, while Adam Arkin plays Cheryl's concerned husband. Expect a cameo from Rhea Perlman as a Mikvah Lady.
Needless to say, The Sessions comes Highly Recommended. It's 2012's most touching and uplifting film- it's about perspective, generosity and the better aspects of the Human Condition.
9.0 out of 10
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