The Sessions
*** out of ****
Directed by: Ben Lewin
Starring: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H.
Macy, Moon Bloodgood and Robin Weigart
Running time: 95 minutes
There are actors who make small yet lasting
impressions in such a breadth of major studio films that it’s a blessing to see
them get a leading role that acknowledges their gravity as a screen presence. John
Hawkes is now getting that recognition.
He provided adept supporting work to young trailblazers Jennifer Lawrence and Elizabeth Olsen (in Winter’s Bone and Martha Marcy May Marlene, respectively) and received an Oscar nomination for doing so. This attention likely garnered him his first major starring role, a challenging part that looks graceful and effortless under his control, in The Sessions. He’s well positioned to garner a wealth of nominations this year.
Hawkes plays Mark O’Brien, a celebrated
journalist and poet with polio who died in 1999, although the film chronicles a
budding chapter in his life 11 years prior. Writer/director Ben Lewin,
who contracted polio as a child, focuses on O’Brien’s quest to lose his
virginity at age 38.
Strapped to a stretcher and wired into an iron
lung for most of the day, O’Brien’s poetry blooms from his constricted
situation. Living in his own head for much of his life, he uses writing as an outlet for expression. To type his work, he bites down on a mouth stick and uses its edge to
press down on the keys of his typewriter.
A wickedly wry and honest internal voice (provided through voice-over) brings levity to the film, which won this year's Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance. Levin’s
script uses O’Brien’s actual work as a portal into his trapped stance.
Nevertheless, these thoughts are also morose. As
O’Brien ponders as his disapproving caretaker mopes about, he refrains that he
is “always in somebody’s way.” He quickly finds a sweeter helper, Vera (Moon
Bloodgood).
A magazine offers O’Brien the chance to write a series of articles on sex and the disabled. A virgin at age 38, he seeks
to remedy this disposition. O'Brien tells his priest, Father Brendan (William H.
Macy), that he hopes to reach sexual fulfillment since he is approaching his “used-by date.” Father Brendan is uncomfortable
with being a receptacle for sexual advice, which offers some potent comic
relief.
O’Brien finds a sex surrogate, a therapeutic
assistant that can address his impotency who while being sensitive to his personal needs. The surrogate, Cheryl Cohen-Greene (a wonderful Helen Hunt), is kind and attentive to O'Brien but wants to keep a professional distance.
When Hunt and Hawkes are in tandem, in slightly
awkward and completely naked therapy sequences, The Sessions becomes a romantic comedy with feeling, one that is both poignant and deeply funny. Their scenes together, while dynamic, only
compile about 15 minutes of the film, which cuts into the evolution of the
story and their relationship.
Regardless, the performances are still
invigorating, especially the leading man. As the candid,
wide-eyed journalist, Hawkes invite sympathy through tics of charm and nervous
energy. Despite his limited mobility, he envelops a full-bodied expression and
grace to the role that deters one’s attention away from O'Brien's frailty to feeling.
The responses of his body during the therapy sessions soon enter his poetry.
The Sessions may be the kindest film ever
released to get the brunt of his humour from situations involving premature
ejaculation, but that is not a detriment to its potency as a charming,
remarkable acted character drama.
It is a deeply affectionate film, but had
writer/director Lewin put more emphasis on realizing the love story at the
centre, The Sessions could have been a more affecting one.
wow!! GReat review!! Can't wait to see this film after reading your review.
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