The Sessions
2012 · Movie · R · 95 min · ★ 6.9 · 85% critics
Paralyzed after polio leaves him dependent on an iron lung, a journalist and poet wants to experience sex for the first time. After initial attempts go badly, he turns to a professional sex surrogate and follows through on a limited set of sessions that test his emotions and desires.
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Streaming on Cinemax — or rent from $3.99.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2012
- Release date
- 2012-05-02
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Critic score
- 85/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (612 votes)
About
You’ll like The Sessions if you want a compassionate, funny-but-emotional story about intimacy and overcoming barriers, with standout performances; Not for you if you’re uncomfortable with explicit sexual content or nudity, or if you need a lighter, less serious take like Love & Other Drugs.
Pros: heartfelt comedy-drama; strong leads; life-affirming story | Cons: sexual content is graphic; pacing can drag; some parts feel odd
Themes
- virgin
- cat
- narration
- wheelchair
- affectation
- graduation
- based on true story
- sexual arousal
- judaism
- power outage
- roman catholic church
- sexual awakening
- +24 more
Awards & recognition
- Sundance Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic · 2012
- Sundance Special Jury Prize — Ensemble Cast · 2012
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2013 · nominated
Cast & crew
John Hawkes
as Mark
Helen Hunt
as Cheryl
William H. Macy
as Father Brendan
Moon Bloodgood
as Vera
Annika Marks
as Amanda
Adam Arkin
as Josh
Rhea Perlman
as Mikvah Lady
W. Earl Brown
as Rod
Robin Weigert
as Susan
Blake Lindsley
as Dr. Laura White
Directed by Ben Lewin