16th PÖFF: The Sessions review

My sessions with love

In Ben Lewin’s “The Sessions”, paralized Mark O`Brien (indie film star John Hawkes) dreams of what is like to be a real man. He’s sick, but that’s not the problem. His real concern is that he has never known love… 

Review by Ra Ragnar Novod 

The story of Mark O`Brien has been on screen before: an Oscar winning short documentary "Breathing Lessons: The Life And Work Of Mark O’Brien”. Part of what makes “The Sessions” different is that Ben Lewin himself is a survivor of polio. Polio isn`t just paralysis. Mark feels everything, but can`t move and needs machines to breath. He can`t even scratch his nose when the cat sneaks around him at night. The film will probably be a frontrunner at the 2013 Academy Awards. The main acors John Hawkes, Helen Hunt and William H. Macy make the film stand out as a spectacular achievement.

This is not a tale of woe 

As one of those films in the long list of heartbreaking tales about disability, “The Sessions” never tries to present itself as a story of a cripple, asking for our compassion. Lots of movies about this subject focus only on the misery and on the hardships. Mark`s tale of woe avoids obviously sad and heartbreaking parts deliberately and replaces them with something completely new. Mark`s disabilty isn`t his body. It`s his mind. He is 38 and has accomplished more than most of healthy men, for instance by “writing” poetry and articles. He is happy the way he is until the moment he starts to feel love. Love for women.

Love is a journey 

After firing his old obnoxious caretaker and looking through many possible candidates Mark finally meets his new assistant: a young, passionate and beautiful brunette Amanda. She sees him as man, as friend and as a bright mind. Mark is surprised. He has never felt that way. They spend time together and even go shopping. For the first time, Mark experiences his first crush and also devastating heartbreak in his journey to love. Mark is a religious man, at least he tries to be. He hasn`t given up on faith, although some would say faith has given up on him. Before Mark even starts to try anything he confesses his sins and wishes to naturally very surprised, but still open minded father Brendan (William H. Macy). After many long and awkward pauses father Brendan gives his blessing and Mark`s life is suddendly at a turning point. 

There is always the first time 

Here comes Cheryl, a sex surrogate played by always fabulous Helen Hunt. A sex surrogate is someone who is specialized to satisfy the needs of those more unfortunate. Her new “patient” is naturally very nervous and always panicking. Another love story begins... Their sessions are awkward and strange, at first, but eventually become intimate and passionate although the sex surrogate is supposed to stay neutral. Cheryl starts to fall for a man who besides his disabilty loves life more than any other. 

The comedy and the humor isn`t played out with the awkard thought of them having sex, but instead Mark`s sense of humor and the way he sees life. He affects others around him in many different ways. He maybe different, but his disabilty made him who he was – a man of compassion and wisdom.