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The Sessions (2012) 7.2
Ratings:
7.2/10 from 34,903 users
Metascore: 79/100
Reviews: 122 user | 336 critic | 39 from Metacritic.com A man in an iron lung who wishes to lose his virginity contacts a professional sex surrogate with the help of his therapist and priest. Director:Ben Lewin |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Hawkes | ... | ||
| Helen Hunt | ... | ||
| William H. Macy | ... | ||
| Moon Bloodgood | ... |
Vera
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| Annika Marks | ... |
Amanda
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| Adam Arkin | ... |
Josh
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| Rhea Perlman | ... |
Mikvah Lady
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| W. Earl Brown | ... |
Rod
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| Robin Weigert | ... |
Susan
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| Blake Lindsley | ... |
Dr. Laura White
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| Ming Lo | ... |
Clerk
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| Rusty Schwimmer | ... |
Joan
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| Jennifer Kumiyama | ... |
Carmen
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| Tobias Forrest | ... |
Greg
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| Jarrod Bailey | ... |
Tony
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
At the age of 38, Mark O'Brien, a man who uses an iron lung, decides he no longer wishes to be a virgin. With the help of his therapist and his priest, he contacts Cheryl Cohen-Greene, a professional sex surrogate and a typical soccer mom with a house, a mortgage and a husband. Inspired by a true story, The Sessions, follows the fascinating relationship which evolves between Cheryl and Mark as she takes him on his journey to manhood. Written by Anonymous
Taglines:
THE FESTIVAL HIT OF THE YEAR!Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong sexuality including graphic nudity and frank dialogue | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 November 2012 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Six Sessions See more »Filming Locations:
San Francisco, California, USABox Office
Budget:
$1,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$113,467 (USA) (19 October 2012)Gross:
$5,997,134 (USA) (8 March 2013)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Himself - Reporter: Mark O'Brien has been going to UC Berkley since 1978. That's O'Brien in the motorized gurney heading for class last week. He had polio when he was six years old. The disease left his body crippled, but his mind remained sharp and alert. And since he wanted to be a writer, Mark O'Brien entered Cal to major in English and learn his trade. He wrote this poem for us about school here and about graduation.
Mark O'Brien: Graduation. Today I hear the crowd's applause. Receive the congratulations from ...
See more »
Written by Brad Hatfield (as Bradley P. Hatfield)
Performed by Brad Hatfield Quintet
Courtesy of Heavy Hitters Music Group
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This is actually the second Helen Hunt movie in which Hunt plays a married woman involved in an extramarital sexual relationship with a paralyzed man; the first was The Waterdance, released in 1992. See more »Goofs
Rhea Perlman's name is misspelled (Pearlman) in the end credits. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Himself - Reporter: Mark O'Brien has been going to UC Berkley since 1978. That's O'Brien in the motorized gurney heading for class last week. He had polio when he was six years old. The disease left his body crippled, but his mind remained sharp and alert. And since he wanted to be a writer, Mark O'Brien entered Cal to major in English and learn his trade. He wrote this poem for us about school here and about graduation.
Mark O'Brien: Graduation. Today I hear the crowd's applause. Receive the congratulations from ...
See more »
Soundtracks
Fine Wine Tasting for TwoWritten by Brad Hatfield (as Bradley P. Hatfield)
Performed by Brad Hatfield Quintet
Courtesy of Heavy Hitters Music Group
See more »
The Sessions tells the inspirational true story of Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes), a poet/journalist who has an iron lung and is paralyzed from the neck down due to polio. At age 36 he decides to finally lose his virginity and – with the support of his friend/priest (William H. Macy) – hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt).
John Hawkes (Winter's Bone, Martha Marcy May Marlene) has been gathering accolades for his performance in The Sessions – and with good reason. He not only delivers on the physical demands of such a role but he manages to encapsulate the emotions of a man with a broken body but a good heart. It's an impressive performance that should see him at least receive an Oscar nomination come next years awards. Hawkes is almost matched by Helen Hunt. She bares all in a brave role that depicts a woman struggling with her job and her emotions. These two performances are some of the best (so far) this year. William H. Macy also gives a good performance as a likable priest that O'Brien is able to confide in.
As a whole, the film doesn't shy away from much. The sex "therapy" sessions are depicted as realistically as possible and are both funny and touching (no pun intended). Ben Lewin's direction is simple yet it manages to adequately depict O'Brien's world without sensationalizing it. It's an all round simple tale that is well told. This is an adult drama that will make you laugh, cry and look more positively at your own life. There aren't many films that do that these days.