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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Title: The Sessions (2012)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| 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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
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:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 November 2012 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Surrogate See more »Filming Locations:
San Francisco, California, USAEdit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$113,467, 21 October 2012Gross USA:
$6,002,451Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$9,138,338Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Bill Hillman - 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 and performed by Steven Michael Yeager
Published by Music Expressions
Courtesy of Crucial Music Corporation
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
John Hawkes placed a cushion under one side of his back to achieve the look of Mark O'Brien's distorted spine. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Bill Hillman - 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
CMI3317 Shearing LoungeWritten and performed by Steven Michael Yeager
Published by Music Expressions
Courtesy of Crucial Music Corporation
See more »
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The Sessions directed by Ben Lewin is based on the life of Mark O'Brien, a polio stricken man in an iron lung who was a journalist and a poet( played by John Hawkes: movie Winter's bone)originally from Boston who moved to Berkeley,CA. Mark was grateful that his parents did not send him to a nursing home but raised him at home so he could live long. At age of 38 ( 1988), Mark decided to lose his virginity and explore and enjoy sex. He was always supine and always either in an iron lung at home or on a gurney when outside. He finally decides to seek the help of a paid sex surrogate who is definitely different from a hooker. Cheryl(played by Helen Hunt)is a sex surrogate. Cheryl is intelligent, educated,married and has a nice body. Cheryl and Mark decide to go through six sessions of sex and self awareness. Cheryl makes Mark aware of his and her body. John Hawkes acted brilliantly . His facial expressions and glittering eyes are very enticing and evoke respect and sympathy. I particularly liked the way Mark describes his first session of intimacy: cleansed and victorious. Helen Hunt as Cheryl is excellent. All the nude scenes are sophisticated and stylishly done. William Macy as Father Brendan is excellent. Screenplay is excellent and conversations between Father Brendan and Mark are interesting. Oscar worthy for Direction,screenplay, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor roles.