Review of The Sessions (2012) by Sarfaraz A — 14 Jan 2013

I went into this movie with high hopes based on the reviews I had heard. Although the subject matter was terrific, the plot beats were a little predictable and sometimes flat. However, what really elevates this movie is the acting, especially that of John Hawkes, who gives an expressive, vulnerable performance and manages to be both charming and pitiable.

DP Geoffrey Simpson perfectly frames Hawkes to enunciate his expressive eyes. Helen Hunt does a wonderful job meandering the complexities of being a sex surrogate. The sessions themselves are physically and emotionally intimate, fresh, and well-constructed scenes.

The interactions between Mark and his many caretakers are interesting, and although some loved the controversial guidance by his priest, I found it hard to believe that he would so readily accept something so contrary to his faith.

Maybe the scenes were simply constructed in a way to produce cheap laughs, instead of really exploring the subtleties of religious acceptance.