The Sessions, boasting a pair of Oscar-worthy performances, is refreshingly frank in its portrayal of sex and represents a gentle and low-key experience. Everything is straightforward and to the point, including the way the film itself unfolds. The film artfully straddles the line between comedy and drama, serving as a fitting tribute to Mark O'Brien, the real life subject of the story who died in 1999. As O'Brien, John Hawkes is tremendous: he nails not only the physical characteristics of a polio sufferer, but the heart and soul of the poet he was too. Helen Hunt matches him in ability every step of the way; not only is this a physically brave performance, but Hunt also successfully presents the simultaneous warmth and fragility of Cheryl's character. William H. Macy is hilarious in a role that's just about the right length, while Moon Bloodgood is also very good. Writer/director Ben Lewin should be commended on making such a tender and honest movie about sex without any of the taboos, with Hawkes and Hunt's performances serving as the film's greatest benefit. A-

This may not sound profound, but this is such a nice film. A conversational, light, sympathetic, and touching slice of life which says, "Here I am. Here are the ideas I intend to explore (the plight of the disabled, sexuality, the line separating the personal and the professional)," and then realizes each goal over the course of 90 or so minutes, which just fly by. The performances ring true and overflow with a vivid, complicated sense of life. The overall experience is simple, sweet, and rewarding.

A-

I'm seeing a free screening of this tonight. I'm very, very excited. Seems like just the kind of movie I'll adore.

This movie was completely beautiful. John Hawkes is just brilliant and if there is any justification with the Academy, he will win the Oscar. The fact he can give such emotional with using only his face was just amazing. I still can't get over how fantastic he was in this. I haven't seen him in much and he's never really impressed me that much but he was a revelation here. Helen Hunt was equally as impressive here. It's been widely discussed about her nudity in the film, and it was all necessary to the plot and it wouldn't have been the same without it in all honesty. I loved that nearly in every scene where she was with Hawkes she was completely nude and every scene where she was going to sleep in her bed with her husband she was fully clothed, whether he had clothes on or not. It was a bold, brave performance and one that needs to be rewarded in some way. Beautiful is really the one word I can use to describe this film. It moved me so much, I cried three different times, two of those times I was out right bawling my eyes out. It's a feel good movie about a taboo subject. It has a whole hell of heart, tons of laughs and it will move you so much. There are a few minor quibbles I had (one of them being the last shot... It kind of felt like a cheap jab to make people cry when the theater was already in tears) but nothing to make this any less than one of my favorites films of the years. It's a very, very special movie.

9/10

Very good film. Hawkes and Hunt were great.

8/10 (B+)