The Sessions backdrop
The Sessions logo
2012·Drama·1h 35m
7.0
Though a childhood bout with polio left him dependent on an iron lung, Mark O'Brien 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 scare her away, he books an appointment with sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen-Greene to lose his virginity.
Directed by Ben Lewin
virgin
cat
narration
wheelchair
affectation
graduation
based on true story
sexual arousal
judaism
power outage
roman catholic church
sexual awakening
male virgin
sponge bath
catholic priest
jealous husband
iron lung
sex surrogate
polio
polio victim
sexual pleasure
handicap sex
angry
zealous
unassuming
anxious
understated
sentimental
whimsical
admiring
adoring
amused
straightforward
sympathetic
tragic
vibrant

Cast

John Hawkes
John Hawkes
Mark
Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt
Cheryl
William H. Macy
William H. Macy
Father Brendan
Moon Bloodgood
Moon Bloodgood
Vera
Annika Marks
Annika Marks
Amanda
Adam Arkin
Adam Arkin
Josh
Rhea Perlman
Rhea Perlman
Mikvah Lady
W. Earl Brown
W. Earl Brown
Rod
Robin Weigert
Robin Weigert
Susan
Blake Lindsley
Blake Lindsley
Dr. Laura White
Ming Lo
Ming Lo
Clerk
Rusty Schwimmer
Rusty Schwimmer
Joan

Crew

Ben Lewin
Ben Lewin
Director
Ben Lewin
Ben Lewin
Writer
Marco Beltrami
Marco Beltrami
Original Music Composer
Geoffrey Simpson
Geoffrey Simpson
Director of Photography
Judi Levine
Judi Levine
Producer
Ben Lewin
Ben Lewin
Producer
Ronnie Yeskel
Ronnie Yeskel
Casting

Popular Reviews

39 reviews
Jonathan Kim
Jonathan Kim
The Sessions
This movie won't be for everyone, the whole concept alone is a pretty bizarre one and I wouldn't be surprised if people might be weirded out by it.

But if you can look past it I think you'll find a very thoughtful movie on not just love but, how sex as a whole can be used to show your appreciation for others.

The only thing stopping me from giving this movie a higher rating is that it doesn't really do anything substantial technical wise. I can say how the movie is shot competently and the actors are all pulling a convincing performance but there's nothing really that'll blow your mind

Still I think this is a pretty decent movie that mostly delivers well on it's themes and messages.
This movie won't be for everyone, the whole concept alone is a pretty bizarre one and I wouldn't be surprised if people might be weirded out by it.

But if you can look past it I think you'll find a very thoughtful movie on not just love but, how sex as a whole can be used to show your appreciation for others.

The only thing stopping me from giving this movie a higher rating is that it doesn't really do anything substantial technical wise. I can say how the movie is shot competently and the actors are all pulling a convincing performance but there's nothing really that'll blow your mind

Still I think this is a pretty decent movie that mostly delivers well on it's themes and messages.
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Comment
Daniel Stephen
Daniel Stephen
The Sessions
I don’t even know wtf I’m watching these days.
I don’t even know wtf I’m watching these days.
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Suse C
Suse CPRO
The Sessions
“He fucked 🙂‍↕️” - the priest at Mark’s funeral
“He fucked 🙂‍↕️” - the priest at Mark’s funeral
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Alden Rivers
Alden Rivers
The Sessions
Best scene: Anytime Mark bonded with the people in his life. All around great acting by everyone.

Worst scene: I didn't really like the relationship Cheryl had with her husband. She seemed so over him.
Best scene: Anytime Mark bonded with the people in his life. All around great acting by everyone.

Worst scene: I didn't really like the relationship Cheryl had with her husband. She seemed so over him.
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Timothy Kandra
Timothy Kandra
The Sessions
While I didn't get much of the laughs I was hoping for and some of it's presentation was a little bland, "The Sessions" still features 2 very likable leads at the helm, an intriguing story, and a very well-written and understanding screenplay.
While I didn't get much of the laughs I was hoping for and some of it's presentation was a little bland, "The Sessions" still features 2 very likable leads at the helm, an intriguing story, and a very well-written and understanding screenplay.
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