SummaryThe Sessions tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined at age 38 to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality. (Fox Searchlight)
Directed By:Ben Lewin
Written By:Ben Lewin, Mark O'Brien
The Sessions
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
92% Positive
36 Reviews
36 Reviews
8% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Nov 16, 2012
100
The result is a human drama that quietly argues that the gift of life isn't one to be taken lightly.
User score
Generally Favorable
79% Positive
85 Ratings
85 Ratings
19% Mixed
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Oct 24, 2018
10
Oh man, underrated to the extreme. One of the best indie movies ever made, and maybe John Hawke's best performance. Helen Hunt is incredible. William H. Macy even holds his own. Beautiful story not to be missed!
Oct 18, 2012
83
Baring all and radiating an affability that defines the movie's tone, Hunt delivers her finest performance since "As Good As It Gets."
Oct 17, 2012
80
Aided by committed, awards-ready performance, The Sessions transforms 'taboo' subject matter into a humorous, humane and uncomplicated pleasure.
Nov 1, 2012
75
Although the majority of the movie focuses on the interaction between Mark and Cheryl, there is a third character in the mix. Catholic priest Father Brendan, played by William H. Macy, belongs to a liberal wing of the Church found only in movies.
Nov 6, 2012
70
There is a sad sweetness to the whole affair, for lack of a better term. Or maybe it's a sweet sadness. But O'Brien's outlook on life (he thinks his use-by date may be approaching), and Hawkes' portrayal of it, elevates the film beyond what's on the page, making what's on the screen a lot more satisfying.
Oct 18, 2012
60
It's strange to call a film with so much nudity and simulated sex "old-fashioned," but The Sessions nicely bridges that gulf.
Oct 20, 2017
10
My username is The3AcademySins, and this movie is about one of the sins the Academy has committed: The sin of not nominating John Hawkes for Best Leading Actor for his portrayal of Mark O'Brien in The Sessions. This performance is one of the best, most believable, and most vulnerable I have ever seen. Fellow cast members Helen Hunt and William H. Macy are heavy hitters as well, and won't leave you disappointed. This movie will make you laugh, it'll make you cry, it'll leave you with a profound appreciate for love and the resilience of the human spirit. Don't miss this one.
Apr 5, 2013
6
I found the movie to be tedious. My wife liked it, so my 6 rating is a weak one the film was a 5 for me. Like many who rated this as a quality film, I was unmoved by the premise.
Mar 16, 2013
6
The Sessions is a film that is easy to watch and to like and John Hawkes continues to remind everyone of just how versatile and gifted an actor he is. But while I was pleasantly distracted during the film's tidy 1 1/2 hour running time, I never really felt emotionally invested in any of the characters and when the credits rolled I never had any real reaction to anything that I had just seen.
Feb 22, 2013
6
The Sessions is a curious and peculiar film; it is very different from what I have seen before, despite other movies about disabled people with the typical argument of death or euthanasia. The thing is that the idea of a quadriplegic man who wants to lose his virginity is very promising and it is perfectly well used, every dialogue or picture has a meaning and leads to such an unpredictable outcome. The situation that shows this film is basically a man trying to live a common life, hopping to fit in the society, making himself proud of what he has accomplish; it is not only about learning how to have sex, but also to have a partner and to be seen with her, to have friends, to be treated as an equal, to be loved. All these things that he wants to another person may be normal and would never questioned it, but he feels afraid of that, thinking that he does not deserve it and it is a punishment of God. In conclusion what The Sessions talk about is to cherish the little things that life brings to us. The script is very clever and the performances are great, John Hawkes and Helen Hunt especially
Feb 23, 2013
3
The sessions is the closest thing to a porn movie you can get without calling it porn. The movie is a sad film but the true saddest is that nothing sticks and the characters are extremely dull. Forgettable and not worth caring about.
Production Company:
- Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Such Much Films
- Rhino Films
Release Date:Oct 19, 2012
Duration:1 h 35 m
Rating:R
Tagline:THE FESTIVAL HIT OF THE YEAR!
Website:
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Satellite Awards
• 6 Nominations
