The Sessions

Whoever thought a movie about a 40 year old virgin trying to get laid would feel so sweet and oddly innocent? The Sessions manages to take a very common subject in romantic comedies and add a refreshing twist to it.

The Sessions stars John Hawkes as Mark O'Brien, a man diagnosed with polio at a very early age. As a result, he's lived his entire life with an iron lung, and enough machinery attached to fill up a Best Buy. He's decided he wants to lose his virginity, and with the help of a local priest (William H. Macy), he soon finds an opportunity with a local sex surrogate named Cheryl (Helen Hunt).

One of the biggest surprises about The Sessions is how hillarious it can be. All of Mark's encounters with these situations are hysterical due to his childlike innocence and unawareness. When he first meets Cheryl his initial reaction is to brand her like a hooker, "The money's on the table". As opposed to most rom-coms where the main character tries to lay on the charm, Mark actually goes in the entirely opposite route, providing humor at every chance he receives to go against to norm in these situations.

Every performance in The Sessions is spot on. John Hawkes is brilliant as the lead character, transforming himself into the role. It never feels like you're watching a performance or someone putting on a show. You're just watching a man who wants to get an opportunity to do something that so many people take for granted; a chance for intimate relations with someone else. Helen Hunt is stellar as Cheryl also, receiving many well-earned nominations at all of the prestigious award ceremonies. Her portrayal is sympathetic yet strong. She doesn't baby Mark, but she shows her emotions through the tough love approach. Their scenes together are stellar.

Even when The Sessions starts going from less comical to more romantic/serious, The Sessions never gets sappy. It remains authentic and heartwearming until the credits roll. Thankfully, The Sessions starts strong and ends strong, never falling into sticky/gooey grounds at all. The Sessions hits all four bases. Pun intended.

4/4