The Sessions [Blu-ray]

Like many, I may have initially been interested in this movie for it's subject matter and perhaps an expectation of something light, humorous and a a strong cast. Well you get all those things, but mostly you get an incredibly moving and emotional experience. The cast as expected were wonderful. John Hawkes was so good as Mark O'Brien that is was probably 30 minutes into the movie that I recognized him as one of the cast of Identity - he was incredibly convincing as man smitten by polio. Helen Hunt too was a perfect choice. The real-life woman she plays (she is shown in some of the extras) was an extraordinary woman too and Helen played the role boldly. There is nudity - Helen Hunt's character (and by extension, sex surrogates in general) are not coy. It is a comfort in fact to see a real woman - beautiful but real and age appropriate - in a movie, where there is usually so muc pressure to only show the sleekest of bodies. There is humor too - but it is the kind of humor we experience in real life - the movie is not played in any way for laughs. Nor does it overly sentimentalize Mark, his condition and his hopes. Life can be cruel but we can be lucky to encounter people who will be kind and who will love us (in whatever way they can). This is a wonderful movie - but be prepared to be emotionally affected. I watched it alone and still couldn't avoid choking up as I watched. Why it didn't feature more in the Academy Awards is a mystery - though Helen Hunt did get nominated for Best Supporting Actress. John Hawkes deserved an Oscar nomination too in my opinion.

One of the top ten movies of the year. Not a bunch of CGI like most today, it is like everything is a cartoon no real acting. This one is far superior. This is acting between two poeple, simple yet complex. Helen Hunt was amazing again, Somewhat like the movie Water Dance she did in her early year where her boyfriend was a Quad. This time her leading man was amazing keeping up with her the whole movie. Helen Hunt is sort of a classic actress to me, very beautiful but with the beauty we knew growing up. Not all the make up , the tatoos, by the way wasn't long ago you only saw a tatooed woman in a freak side show, to me that is where they should have stayed. But back to the movie. I admit alot will watching it just to see Helen Hunt nude as much as she is ,but please try get past that and see the true meaning behind the movie. I am some what disablied not anywhere close to what he was in this movie. Helen showed caring and understanding, wish I could give it more then 5 stars . A special message to all our veterns, Welcome Home and to those serving in harm's way come home safe, god bless and thank you ...

A very tender and moving movie (albeit, a bit of soft porn!). Helen Hunt as you've never seen her before, I suspect. She's completely naked much of the time and shows no shame. But it works. One of those weird combinations of date and chick-flick movies that you rarely find. The man will love the nudity and storyline and the woman will love the storyline and the intense connection made between the two main characters. Definitely worth watching. However, don't watch it with your parents, your children or anyone else that you don't know really well and feel comfortable with. Just sayin'.......

good movie

Movie: 5 Stars Extras: 2.5 Stars During the 50th Annual American Atheists Convention in Austin, Texas, I had the good fortune to run into Dr. Darrel Ray, author of Sex & God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality . After I explained my situation to him (somewhat similar to that of the movie's main character), he graciously took time to have a private conversation with me and offered some possible solutions to my issue. One suggestion he made was to watch "The Sessions", as according to him it gets a lot right about sexual therapy. The movie is based on the true story of journalist Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes), who as a child became paralyzed from the neck down by polio. At the age of 38 he decided it was time to lose his virginity, and encouraged by a sympathetic priest (William H. Macy) he ends up hiring sex therapist Cheryl Cohen-Green (Helen Hunt). At first their relationship is somewhat awkward, but as time goes on they develop a closeness that awakens jealousy in Cheryl's husband (Adam Arkin). The performances of all the principles are uniformly excellent, with Mr. Hawkes and Ms. Hunt as the standout actors of the ensemble. Their interactions were so frank and intimate I almost felt like an intruder while watching them. After the movie ended, I checked out the sparse but informative extras, although this was one film where a commentary was sorely missed. However, at least I was able to purchase Kindle books by the real Mark O'Brien: How I Became a Human Being: A Disabled Man's Quest for Independence (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography) and Cheryl Cohen-Green: An Intimate Life: Sex, Love, and My Journey as a Surrogate Partner . I was also able to find an online article written by Mark O'Brien about his time with Ms. Cohen-Green, and the movie hews fairly close to his actual experience, although some dramatic and relational liberties were taken by the filmmakers. I'm thankful that Dr. Ray recommended "The Sessions" to me, although I'm not sure I'm ready to hire a sex therapist at this stage in my life. But I'm glad the option exists, and that this movie was able to portray the controversial subject of sexual therapy in such a dramatic yet accessible manner. Recommended.

Great movie,one of her best ever !

Said it was multi-format. Would only load on a Blu-Ray® player. Not going to spend $80-$100 on a player to watch a $10 movie.

This movie was really interesting and an excellent portrayal of a true story about a man who was born with polio and had to live in an "iron lung" and how he was able to have a very fulfilling love life. It's funny, and sad, and very moving. The main characters Helen Hunt and John Hawkes are outstanding as is William Macy also. I definitely recommend this movie. Very entertaining, and Very interesting.

マーケットプレイスで安かったので購入しました。国内版の半額以下です。いきなり日本語で著作権の警告が出てきたので、 もしや日本語字幕入りかと思いきや、入っていませんでした。２０ヵ国以上の字幕が入っているのに、日本語がないのは、高い 国内版を売るためなのかな。削除シーン、メイキング、予告編が入っており、日本語字幕と吹替えがないこと以外は、国内版と 同じようです。 映画としては、寝たきりで人口呼吸器で生活する主人公のセックス体験がメインストーリーとなっています。たいへんな生活 を描くだけでも立派な映画になるところ、セックスの悩みに絞って描いているところがユニークです。実際にセックスもするセックス セラピスト、代理セックスというのも、はじめて知りました。映画の創作かと思いきや、なんと実在するんですね。今は亡くなって しまった主人公の書いた原作がもとになっています。メイキングでは、監督、出演者と一緒にこのセックスセラピストも出演。 ユーモアたっぷりに描かれている映画ですが、実話であることに、たいへん驚きました。 寝たきりの主人公を演じるJOHN HAWKESという俳優さん、素晴らしい熱演です。メイキングで出てくる姿からは、同一人物と 思えなかった。大胆なオールヌード（劇場では修正入らなかったのかな？）を見せるヘレン・ハントも素晴らしい。彼女、誰を演じて も常にヘレン・ハントならではの魅力があって好きな女優さんです。ブルーレイで見ると顔の小じわやらがくっきり、映ってしまうの ですが、なんとも魅力的だなあ。他にウィリアム・H・メイシーが共演。それにしても実在のこの主人公の、原作の魅力をきっちりと 伝えるJOHN HAWKESの演技は見事です。心地よい音楽も良く、夏のボストン？の緑多い風景も良し。なかなかの傑作です。