The Sessions (2012)

Director:

Ben Lewin

Writers:

Ben Lewin (written for the screen by) and
Mark O'Brien (article)

Release Date:

16 November 2012 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

THE FESTIVAL HIT OF THE YEAR!

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Sex Surrogate | Priest | Iron Lung | Sex | Virgin

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 14 wins & 35 nominations

Cast

John Hawkes	...	Mark
Helen Hunt	...	Cheryl
William H. Macy	...	Father Brendan
Moon Bloodgood	...	Vera
Annika Marks	...	Amanda
Adam Arkin	...	Josh
Rhea Perlman	...	Mikvah Lady
W. Earl Brown	...	Rod
Robin Weigert	...	Susan
Blake Lindsley	...	Dr. Laura White
Ming Lo	...	Clerk
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Joan
Jennifer Kumiyama	...	Carmen
Tobias Forrest	...	Greg
Jarrod Bailey	...	Tony
James Martinez	...	Matt
Paul MacLean	...	Young Mark
Phoebe Lewin	...	Girl on Beach
Jonathan Hanrahan	...	Unicyclist
T.J. Edwards	...	Waiter (as Jason Jack Edwards)
J. Teddy Garces	...	Man in Elevator
Daniel Quinn	...	E.R. Doctor
B.J. Clinkscales	...	Ambulance Driver
Terry	...	Cat
Bill Hillman	...	Himself - Reporter (archive footage)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gina-Raye Carter	...	Pill Nurse (uncredited)
Amanda Jane Fleming	...	Margaret (uncredited)
Stephane Nicoli	...	Patient (uncredited)
George F. Watson	...	Amanda's Husband with Baby (uncredited)

Directed by
Ben Lewin

Writing credits
Ben Lewin		(written for the screen by)
Mark O'Brien		article "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate"

Produced by
Doug Blake	....	executive producer (as Douglas Blake)
Julius Colman	....	executive producer
Judi Levine	....	producer
Alexandra Lewin	....	associate producer
Ben Lewin	....	producer
Stephen Nemeth	....	producer
Abid Sayed	....	associate producer
Maurice Silman	....	executive producer
Darlene Winter	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Marco Beltrami

Cinematography by
Geoffrey Simpson		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Lisa Bromwell

Casting by
Ronnie Yeskel

Production Design by
John Mott

Set Decoration by
Sofia Jimenez		(as Sofia Elena Jimenez)

Costume Design by
Justine Seymour

Makeup Department
Stephenie Irish	....	assistant hair stylist
Stephenie Irish	....	assistant makeup artist
Dmitriy Kirillov	....	assistant hair stylist (as Dimitry Kirillov)
Dmitriy Kirillov	....	assistant makeup artist (as Dimitry Kirillov)
Elissa Prager	....	assistant hair stylist
Elissa Prager	....	assistant makeup artist
Darrell Redleaf-Fielder	....	hair stylist: Ms. Hunt (as Darrell Fielder)
Darrell Redleaf-Fielder	....	makeup artist: Ms. Hunt (as Darrell Fielder)
Natalie Wood	....	lead hair stylist
Natalie Wood	....	lead makeup artist
Coco Yuon	....	assistant hair stylist
Coco Yuon	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Doug Blake	....	unit production manager (as Douglas Blake)
John Portnoy	....	post-production supervisor
Rebekah Sindoris	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ben Bywater	....	second assistant director
David Dwiggins	....	first assistant director
Bill Greenfield	....	second second assistant director (as Billy Greenfield)
Jake Worden	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Stephen Andrews	....	construction
Giles Augustine	....	swing gang
Bianca Noel Baratie	....	prop assistant (as Bianca Bareti)
Christina Brenton	....	property master
Benjamin Brugger	....	swing gang
Eric Cantley	....	swing gang
Jason Cronburg	....	carpenter
Jose Luis Cruz	....	swing gang
Miriam Dafford	....	set dresser
Garrett Flamig	....	swing gang
Edwin Hernandez	....	lead man
Erin McKenna	....	scenic painter
Ben Monstrey	....	prop assistant
Niles Padilla	....	lead man
Nathan Owen Rothenstein	....	set dresser
Jeramey Rund	....	set dresser (as Jeremy Rund)
Joe Skiff	....	construction
Lisa Matsuura Walker	....	scenic painter (as Lisa Walker)
Max Webb	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Joshua Adeniji	....	sound effects editor
Scott Brewster	....	adr mixer
Matt Culbreath	....	assistant sound editor
Robert Dehn	....	sound studio manager
Derek Deitz	....	foley mixer
Trevor Gates	....	sound effects editor
Jason Gaya	....	adr mixer (as Jason 8Frenchie' Gaya)
Ginger Geary	....	foley artist
Angela Hemingway	....	adr editor
Angela Hemingway	....	dialogue editor
Steven Iba	....	supervising sound editor
Brad Kalpakov	....	boom operator
Marty Kasparian	....	sound mixer
Ashley McEntee	....	adr facility coordinator
Spencer Schwieterman	....	assistant sound editor
Chris Terhune	....	adr mixer
Kelly Vockel	....	adr assistant
Jonathan Wales	....	sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Chris Barnett	....	grip
Matthew Boda	....	electrician
John C. Brumet	....	grip (as John Brumet)
Kendrick Camak	....	electrician
Laura Creecy	....	digital imaging technician
Michael Patrick Cronin	....	dolly grip (as Michael Cronin)
Wyatt Denny	....	grip
Michael Di Ricco	....	electrician (as Mike DiRicco)
Derrick Esperanza	....	grip (as Derrick Esperonza)
Brian Fletcher	....	balloon operator
Noah Flippo	....	grip
Brandon Flohr	....	electrician
Isaiah Fortajada	....	first assistant camera
Nikolas Garff	....	electrician
Sarah M. Golonka	....	still photographer (as Sarah Golonka)
Tim Herrman	....	grip
Christine Hodinh	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Dale Launer	....	camera supplier: Sim Video
Matt Lim	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Jason McGuire	....	best boy electric (as Jason 'Evil' McGuire)
Ryan Meyer	....	gaffer
Ryan Meyer	....	key grip
Arlene Muller	....	camera supplier: EVS
Arlene Muller	....	second assistant camera
Steven T. Nolan	....	remote head technician (as Steven Nolan)
William Novy	....	electrician (as Will Novy)
Kosta Rigopoulos	....	grip
Erik Rodgers	....	electrician
Ezra Silman	....	videographer: behind the scenes
Geoffrey Simpson	....	camera operator
Darryl St. Juste	....	grip
Derek Touvell	....	grip
Mike Ursetta	....	grip
Joe Webb	....	grip

Animation Department
Robert Vega	....	animator: title

Casting Department
Virginia Siegler	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ximena Davalos	....	set costumer
Michele Marin	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Angel Askins	....	digital intermediate producer: Company 3
Eric R. Brodeur	....	assistant editor (as Eric Brodeur)
Mike Chiado	....	digital intermediate technologist
Jaime Corbacho	....	post-production assistant
Siggy Ferstl	....	digital intermediate colorist
Travis Flynn	....	additional digital intermediate colorist
Dan Goslee	....	digital conform editor
Chloé Hamilton	....	post-production assistant
Jackie Lee	....	digital intermediate account executive: Company 3
Cassandra Leigh	....	post-production assistant
Alexandra Lewin	....	post-production coordinator
Nick Monton	....	senior digital intermediate producer: Company 3
Stefan Sonnenfeld	....	digital intermediate executive producer: Company 3
Devin Sterling	....	digital intermediate head of production: Company 3
Arabella Stubbs	....	post-production assistant
T.J. Young	....	assistant editor

Music Department
John Kurlander	....	score recording engineer
Tyson Lozensky	....	assistant scoring engineer
Buck Sanders	....	score co-producer
Sharon Smith	....	music editor
Sharon Smith	....	music supervisor
Udi Harpaz	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Domingo Bustamante	....	driver
Jonathan Hanrahan	....	transportation coordinator (as Jonathan 'Johnny 5' Hanrahan)
Chris Pedersen	....	driver: water truck
Andrew Tiasacan	....	transportation captain (as Drew Tiasacan)
Helena Torgersen	....	picture car coordinator

Other crew
Jake Alinikoff	....	production assistant
Sheri Aparicio	....	animal trainer: Paws for Effect
Michael Balog	....	security
Christopher Bracken	....	production assistant
Inetri Brazil	....	choreographer (as Inetri Brazel)
Eamon Brennan	....	production assistant
Kelli Brownell	....	animal trainer: Paws for Effect
Holden Burk	....	stand-in
Vicky Choy	....	travel coordinator
Jaime Cprbacho	....	production assistant
Nathan Davies	....	stand-in
Dan Eason	....	location scout
Phil Eisenhower	....	studio teacher: Stella Pacific Management
Craig A. Emanuel	....	legal sales representative (as Craig Emanuel)
Tecia Esposito	....	script supervisor
Susan Fernbach	....	special consultant
Matthew Fladell	....	production attorney (as Matt Fladell)
Guy Flint	....	studio teacher: Stella Pacific Management
Christopher France	....	stand-in
Shauna Frontera	....	production assistant
Mairead Gaffney	....	production assistant
Teri Gooden	....	caterer: In Good Taste
Cheryl Cohen Greene	....	special consultant
Judd Greener	....	key set production assistant
George Hofstetter	....	police officer (as George Hoffstetter)
Shawna Hoppes	....	assistant: Mr. Lewin
David Knipp	....	craft service
Joe LaSalle	....	stand-in
Nicoletta Lingrosso	....	production coordinator
Josh McClintic	....	production coordinator
Bradley McIntyre	....	fire safety officer
Gilli Moon	....	website consultant
Richard Parker	....	stand-in
Jared Parsons	....	location manager
Jennifer Ilene Perry	....	stand-in (as Jennifer Perry)
Christie Pesicka	....	stand-in
John Portnoy	....	title designer: end titles
Deborah Ross	....	title designer: main titles, Deborah Ross Film Design
Steven Roughan	....	stand-in
John Sinaiko	....	stand-in
Rebekah Sindoris	....	production accountant
Caitlin Smith	....	production assistant
Patrece Smith	....	production assistant (as Pátrece Smith)
Betsy Stahl	....	production executive
Raquel Steinberg	....	massage therapist
Josh Wever	....	production assistant (as Joshya Wever)
Kate Yerves	....	stand-in (as Katherine Yerves)
Hilary Carver	....	publicist (uncredited)
Lucy Doty	....	central city studio owner (uncredited)
Marguerite Lliteras	....	central city studio operations manager (uncredited)
Ralph Lliteras	....	central city studio manager (uncredited)
Sunshine Lliteras	....	central city studio props department (uncredited)
Michael D. Nes	....	project manager: Deluxe Digital Cinema (uncredited)
Jennifer Ilene Perry	....	stand in: Helen Hunt (uncredited)

Thanks
Xavier Collin	....	thanks
Henry Eshelman	....	special thanks
Rex Glensy	....	special thanks (as Rex Glensey)
Fazal Khan	....	special thanks
Lincoln Nemeth	....	special thanks
Valerie Ann Nemeth	....	special thanks
Mark O'Brien	....	in memory of
Karl Spoerri	....	thanks
Viviana Vezzani	....	thanks
John Wesley Whitton	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Such Much Films
• Rhino Films

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2012) (Australia) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (2013) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through Warner Bros.)
• 20th Century Fox (2012) (Canada) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2013) (Germany) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2013) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2013) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2013) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Big Picture 2 Films (2013) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
• Odeon (2013) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2013) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (through)
• Blu Shine (2013) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Blu Shine (2013) (Argentina) (video) (Blu-ray Disc)

Other Companies

• CAPS Universal Payroll  payroll company
• Carol Grant Casting  extras casting
• Central City Studio  hospital location provided by
• Central City Studio  hospital uniforms
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  remote camera systems
• Company 3  digital intermediate
• Deborah Ross Film Design  main title designed by
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• EVS  camera support equipment
• Evidence Productions  camera
• Heywhatsyourface  grip and lighting equipment
• In Good Taste  catering
• Indie Rentals  camera
• Intelligent Media  international monitoring agency
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack
• Media Services  payroll company
• Paws for Effect  animal trainers
• Quixote Studios  grip and lighting equipment (as Quixote)
• Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center  supplier: iron lung
• SIM Digital / Bling Digital  camera equipment provided by (as Sim Video)
• Sonic Magic  sound post-production (as Sonic Magic Studios)
• Stella Pacific Managment  studio teachers
• Valerie Ann Nemeth  special thanks

Also Known As:

"The Surrogate" - USA (festival title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality including graphic nudity and frank dialogue

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #47329) | Singapore:R21 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:15 | Ireland:16 | Sweden:Btl | Australia:MA15+ | South Korea:18 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:16 | Norway:A | Hong Kong:III | Denmark:A | Switzerland:14 | Brazil:14

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Such Much Films

Trivia:

Actor John Hawkes had to use a cushion under one side of his back in order for him to have the look of an arched and distorted spine.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film takes place circa 1988. Helen Hunt wears several Wacoal bras that are contemporary to 2011, including "Embrace Lace Underwire" bra style #65191.

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 my friends. Today I ask if I've found a place among the rest, who studied, read, wrote, and passed the test in cap and gown. Today I hope you see a man upon this stage.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards (2013) (TV)

Soundtrack:

CMI3317 Shearing Lounge

Will Make You Laugh, Cry and Look at Life More Positively

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 day