The Sessions

This is the kind of movie experience that I live for. I die for.

The Sessions is an independent drama film written and directed by Ben Lewin. It is based on an essay by Mark O'Brien, a poet paralyzed from the neck down due to polio who hired a sex surrogate to lose his virginity. John Hawkes and Helen Hunt star as O'Brien and sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen-Greene, respectively.

Sex can heal. It can bond. It can bring two people closer than anybody's imagination. And, sharing sex secrets with a third person (who was a stranger, in the beginning, and also a priest) can make him your best friend.

Ok, agreed that there was ‘a special needs’ person involved in the above situations but still the above statements are true. 

As Mark says in the movie, sex is serious. Mark also says: “I believe in a God with a sense of humor. I would find it absolutely intolerable not to be to able blame someone for all this.”

The humor and wit in the movie may remind you of Inside I’m Dancing. I digress but, in case, you haven’t watched that movie yet, please do!

Helen Hunt just sweeps you off your feet as an actress; her range is incomparable. This movie makes me reconfirm my belief of her being the best actress ever... Over any other actress of any decade across world cinema; yes, that includes everybody’s favorite (including the Oscar’s), Meryl Streep. 

This is a bold and brave role to take on; she has delivered more than another established actress would. I am not saying bold and brave because it includes nudity or sex, but because this is the kind of role that required her to live under the skin of her character and she went more than skin deep.

John Hawkes just makes you believe that he’s Mark O’Brien himself; so flawless is his performance. The importance of sexual intimacy between two people and the importance of being kind in a relationship is highlighted so well that it welled up my eyes. 

Just like Tukaram, The Sessions was a healing experience for me.

Yes, this movie is based on a true story… Please do read:
An article on Cheryl Cohen-Greene

An article on Mark O'Brien


And yes, for a detailed movie review, please visit:
Roger Ebert's review