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      The Sessions

      R Released Oct 19, 2012 1h 35m Comedy Drama Biography List
      91% Tomatometer 203 Reviews 80% Audience Score 10,000+ Ratings Though a childhood bout with polio left him dependent on an iron lung, Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) maintains a career as a journalist and poet. A writing assignment dealing with sex and the disabled piques Mark's curiosity, and he decides to investigate the possibility of experiencing sex himself. When his overtures toward a caregiver (Annika Marks) scare her away, he books an appointment with sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen Green (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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      Critics Consensus

      Tender, funny, and touching, The Sessions provides an acting showcase for its talented stars and proves it's possible for Hollywood to produce a grown-up movie about sex.

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      Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online The story isn't as provocative as it tries to be, and the contrived romance is just as frustrating to watch unfold. Rated: C- Sep 7, 2017 Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk The Sessions could easily have slipped into schmaltz, but it's an unexpectedly funny delight, thanks in part to sterling work from Helen Hunt and John Hawkes. Rated: 4/5 Sep 1, 2017 Full Review Charlotte Ross London Evening Standard Satisfaction guaranteed? Pretty much. Rated: 4/5 Jan 18, 2013 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Lewin examines the potentially taboo subject of disabled people having intercourse in a matter-of-fact way that breaches the topic by rendering it a non-issue. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 21, 2022 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com It is very seldom that I find virtually everything that I want within the confines of a single film. Rated: 4.0/4.0 Sep 22, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens A love story between a man and life itself. A story that should humble, challenge and inspire us all. Nov 27, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Ms L It was a nice little movie about a man who wanted to experience intimacy in his life and the women who wanted him to experience this. Very well done and you felt that the characters were someone you actually know. I liked it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/23 Full Review Anjum K Too little was expressed in the means of emotions. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/16/23 Full Review Cees T Kinda jealous ngl. 7/10 - Good. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/11/23 Full Review Kyle M An empathetically mature, light-hearted grown-up film with a fragile topic that secondarily intrigues behind the star power's praised caliber to find genuine tenderness in their sensitive approach along with comedic amusement being their smartest degree. (B) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A raw and intimate character study with two stellar performance from John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review dave s Based on actual events, The Sessions tells the story of Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes), a man stricken by polio as a young boy and living his life in a state of paralysis. At the age of thirty-eight, knowing that his life expectancy is limited, O'Brien attempts to fulfil one last goal – to make love to a woman. Helen Hunt gives her bravest performance in what was undoubtedly her most challenging role as the sex surrogate hired to assist O'Brien in his quest. The film is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, filled with pathos but never resorting to shameless emotional pandering. Hawkes is fantastic in the lead role, as is William H Macy as the conflicted priest trying to come to terms with encouraging a man to engage in sexual relations outside of marriage. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Though a childhood bout with polio left him dependent on an iron lung, Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) maintains a career as a journalist and poet. A writing assignment dealing with sex and the disabled piques Mark's curiosity, and he decides to investigate the possibility of experiencing sex himself. When his overtures toward a caregiver (Annika Marks) scare her away, he books an appointment with sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen Green (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity.
      Director
      Ben Lewin
      Producer
      Judi Levine, Stephen Nemeth
      Screenwriter
      Ben Lewin
      Distributor
      Fox Searchlight
      Production Co
      Fox Searchlight
      Rating
      R (Graphic Nudity|Frank Dialogue|Strong Sexuality)
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama, Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 19, 2012, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 25, 2015
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $6.0M
      Runtime
      1h 35m
      Sound Mix
      Dolby Digital
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