Watch The Sessions

The Sessions is a 2012 drama film directed by Ben Lewin, starring John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, and William H. Macy. The film is based on the true story of Mark O'Brien, a man with polio who hires a sex surrogate to help him lose his virginity. The Sessions follows Mark O'Brien, a 38-year-old writer and poet who has been paralyzed from the neck down since childhood due to polio. Despite his physical limitations, O'Brien is determined to live as independently as possible, and he hires a caregiver named Vera to assist him with his daily needs.

One day, Mark expresses to his therapist that he has never had sex and is curious about what it feels like. His therapist suggests that he hire a sex surrogate, a professional who can assist individuals with physical disabilities in achieving sexual intimacy. Mark is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to the idea and begins working with Cheryl, a sex surrogate.

Cheryl is patient and nurturing with Mark, guiding him through the process of exploring his sexuality and breaking down his psychological barriers. Their sessions are emotional and intimate, and Mark finds himself falling in love with Cheryl despite her warning to him that their relationship is strictly professional.

Meanwhile, Mark continues to navigate his relationships with his caregivers, particularly Vera, who he has become close friends with. He also manages to publish an article about his experience with Cheryl in a local magazine, which gains national attention and inspires conversations about disability and sexuality.

The film delves into complicated themes, including disability, sex, love, and intimacy. It portrays sex workers in a non-judgmental light and argues for their empowerment and autonomy.

John Hawkes delivers a powerful performance as Mark O'Brien, capturing both his physical limitations and his charismatic personality. Helen Hunt also shines as Cheryl, portraying her character with empathy and compassion. William H. Macy serves as a supporting player, playing Mark's priest and confidante.

Overall, The Sessions is a poignant and thought-provoking film that challenges our assumptions about disability and sex. It celebrates the power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit.

The Sessions is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 79.