Things that make me happy... The Sessions

Things that make me happy... The Sessions the film

The Sessions is a film about a man that lives in a iron lung due to polio he contracted as child. The film is based on the life of Mark O'Brien, a poet and writer that hires a surrogate to help him lose his virginity despite being paralyzed from the neck down.  Helen Hunt (Mad about You, As Good as it Gets) plays Cheryl Cohen-Greene a therapist that he hires to help him with this wish. Hunt's strong performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and much critical acclaim although she has not made many films over the past 10 years. She is joined by and equally strong performance by John Hawkes (Winter Bones) as the lead character Mark. The Australian director, Ben Lewin, based the movie on a 1990 article, "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" written by Mark O'Brien

What makes this movie really work is Mark's search to experience love despite the long odds he feels are due to his paralysis. On the surface his medical condition seems to be the main obstacle to experience physical love, but to Mark's surprise he had everything  he needed to experience love, his personality and charm.  His priest, played masterfully by William H. Macy, serves has his guide and confidant during this "project" and provides from some good laughs.

First Session

Sessions also deal with complex issues around sexually shame and guilt just like the 2011 film Shame starring Michael Fasbender as a person struggling with sex addiction and being "disconnected" from emotional intimacy which in ways is the exact opposite of this Sessions.

Pros
1. Helen Hunt and John Hawkes performances are stellar.
2. Hunt looks amazing in this movie... and yes you will see a lot of her.
3. The plot and writing on this film is both funny and warm. This is definitely one of the most heartfelt movies of the year.... Think 50/50... both funny yet sad featuring amazing real people inspiring others to live life to its fullest.
4. The movie is both optimistic and inspirational. Not in the way that you feel sorry for someone, but in the way that it shows how people achieve in life despite any difficulty. O'Brien will and fearlessness is to be admired.

Cons
1. Although it is tastefully done, this movie does have some adult themes regarding sex. So you probably want to leave the kids home or skip this movie if your uncomfortable exploring this topic.
2. The movie is in limited release so you have to find it in your local arthouse theaters or put it in your Netflix cue.
3. Its a indy movie so don't expect to see action sequences and such...

One of the best movies of the year that no one has seen. Go check it out if your a indy movie fan!

S.F. Guru