sign in
register
Watch
Apple TV Google Play Movies Fandango At Home
+3
The Sessions
The Sessions
+3
JustWatch
Your probable score
?
The Sessions

The Sessions

2012
Romance, Comedy
1h 35m
The quest for love appears insurmountable when a man confined to an iron lung determines, at age 38, to lose his virginity. The Surrogate chronicles his attempt to transcend the limbo between childhood and adulthood, in which he is literally trapped. With the blessing of an unusual priest and support from enlightened caregivers, the poignantly optimistic and always droll O'Brien swallows his fear and hires a sex surrogate (mubi.com)

Directed by:

Ben Lewin

Screenwriter:

Ben Lewin

Starring:

William H. Macy, Helen Hunt, Adam Arkin, John Hawkes, Robin Weigert, Moon Bloodgood, W. Earl Brown, Ming Lo, Blake Lindsley, Annika Marks, Jennifer Kumiyama, Jarrod Bailey

Genres:

Romance, Comedy, Drama

AKA:

The Surrogate

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
Update history
Suggest edit

The Sessions

2012
Romance, Comedy
1h 35m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 55.14% from 737 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(742)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
xacviantxacviant
Rated 18 Nov 2012
77
43rd
The kind of likable, low-key character-driven comedy that has a brief heyday as a critical and awards-group darling before falling into obscurity. The true story of a crippled poet (John Hawkes) and the sex surrogate (Helen Hunt) who introduces him to the pleasures of the flesh, it has good performances from Hawkes--a physically, if not so much emotionally, demanding role--and Hunt, who gives quite a sexually liberated performance in these prudish days. Solid writing, but amateurish directing.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 11 Jan 2013
57
10th
An interesting story with a good cast which was somewhat spoiled for me by bland direction, a tear jerker score and a typically American business-like and slightly prudish approach to the subject. I also found the stakes too low: Hawkes' character is surrounded by such impossibly supportive people, that there is never any doubt he would achieve his dream.
Rated 11 Jan 2013
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 10 Jan 2013
78
66th
John Hawkes, once again, shows that he is a complete badass. Every performance he seems to knock out of the park. That, coupled with Hunt's very brave portrayal of a believable women doing an extra-ordinary thing, makes The Sessions thoroughly enjoyable.
Rated 10 Jan 2013
lookjabbaLookJabba...
Rated 06 Feb 2014
7
57th
The Sessions is an undoubtedly brave and bold piece of filmmaking, with equally brave and bold performances to match. But the heart of this film is its innocence and honesty. Hunt gives a superb performance and she fully deserved her Oscar nomination for taking on such a demanding role. But I'm still baffled as to why the equally brilliant Hawkes didn't get an Oscar nod also. The chemistry between the pair is touching and such a serious subject matter is balanced with well timed comic relief.
Rated 06 Feb 2014
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2013
68
65th
Muddled script and directing is more than saved by Hawkes and Hunt.
Rated 25 Sep 2013
aneyaney
Rated 18 Feb 2013
51
56th
Great performances by both leads, but the movie as a whole never manages to delve deeper into the psyche of a disabled man or a sex surrogate. It does work as a feel good movie, it's just sad, because it could have been so much more.
Rated 18 Feb 2013
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 09 Feb 2013
100
99th
This movie is fantastic. I'm very upset that John Hawkes didn't get nominated for this film. I'm very glad that Helen Hunt got nominated though. She had a tough role to do, not to mention the full nudity that she had to endure and in direct lighting too. No shadowy bedrooms where a sheet falls down slightly exposing one breast for one second. The story is wonderful and touching. I cried like a baby at the end. People who are sex surrogates are wonderful people. I just love this movie so much.
Rated 09 Feb 2013
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 04 Feb 2013
95
91st
Touching, moving meditation on loneliness, want and desire, centred on three superb performances at the forefront (with Hunt a heartbreaking stand-out), and an intelligent, insightful screenplay which masterfully presents potential 'bad-laugh' material with a sense of warmth and genuine humour and affection for all of its characters. A genuinely wonderful, honest, uplifting experience.
Rated 04 Feb 2013
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 02 Feb 2013
47
24th
The most impressive feat is how such an awkward and uncomfortable subject was turned into a pleasant and watchable experience. Unfortunately, like others here are saying, the story really lacks a dramatic arc; events are shown in a straightforward fashion without any resounding message on sex, religion, or disability.
Rated 02 Feb 2013
caimancaiman
Rated 29 Jan 2013
75
48th
Huge props to John Hawkes for his exceptional performance. Without him this movie would be nothing. As it stands it's an interesting watch, though ultimately fairly shallow. I needed more reasons to care about any of the supporting characters. Hunt's character was fun, but I never believed she would fall for Mark; surely she faced this same situation regularly? I also wish Macy's character was more fleshed out. Overall this movie was entertaining but lifeless.
Rated 29 Jan 2013
tarantinoleTarantinOle
Rated 27 Jan 2013
40
13th
Lewin avoids making a typical Hollywood picture out the whole scenario by crafting a more breezy, lighter tone to the film and never bringing us too far into the dramatic side of things. The problem of this though is that avoiding this robs the story of any genuine weight. In the end the characters remain flat, uninteresting and dull.
Rated 27 Jan 2013
wezzoWezzo
Rated 21 Jan 2013
94
91st
John Hawkes and Helen Hunt: give them all of the Oscars. This film lives or dies on their two performances, and they are both utterly fantastic, imbuing every line with nuance, becoming their roles, and threatening to make you believe The Sessions is actually a documentary and not a mere dramatisation. The touchingly-told story of a man largely confined to an iron lung losing his virginity to a sex surrogate, it's one of the most emotionally honest movies I've seen. full review @ letterboxd
Rated 21 Jan 2013
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 19 Jan 2013
69
44th
A wry comedy with a very good sex-positive message, that manages to make light of the protagonist's disability and his sexual experiences without ever being cruel or unnecessary. An excellent performance from John Hawkes who conveys a great sense of sarcastic humour in his portrayal of Mark O'Brien. Helen Hunt and William H. Macy are good, as always, and the cast is rounded up with a few bit parts that perform well. Funny and lighthearted but with tonal shifts that feel natural and not too grim.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 29 Nov 2012
80
78th
A lot to like here. Nice use humor to help make what can be heavy material very watchable and entertaining. The acting is top notch from everyone involved and it doesn't sell out (even though I feared it might for a while).
Rated 29 Nov 2012
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 08 Oct 2023
80
79th
This is somewhat bawdy perhaps at times but I'd say its much less an American Pie type sex based comedy, its more a biopic drama than a comedy, though there are some somewhat amusing moments. It made me think about the films My Left Foot and, perhaps moreso, Breathe. Even 'Good Luck Leo Grande' to an extent I suppose. Its not a film to watch with your parents, sure but its somewhat thought provoking as well, which I like. I thought it was interesting the fact that a priest is consulted, what he
Rated 08 Oct 2023
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
82
77th
?Sexual specialist??Love??????/???????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 22 Oct 2020
65
62nd
The Sessions works better as the comedy, rather than the character drama, that it aims to deliver. The characters are great; as is the writing, with Hawkes' character's wry sense of humour carrying the film. Macy steals every scene he's in as, a the supportive priest occasionally paused by doctrine. The structure, and therein the narrative drama, is the weaker aspect, whereby the 1st half of the film is fresher, more interesting, and better than the 2nd half. Still a good film overall.
Rated 22 Oct 2020
mike365365mike365365
Rated 07 Apr 2020
44
9th
Could not finish it, fast forwarded the last thirty minutes. Just did not like it. Didn't like the poetry either.
Rated 07 Apr 2020
evranaevrana
Rated 14 Aug 2018
71
49th
It had a much lighter tone than I expected; which is actually a good thing. I liked that they did not try to pull off a tear-jerker because the material is ripe for that. The performances of the leads were exemplary, but the characters that formed background were given a strong presence with small quirky details also. This kind of true stories always have the problem of being limited by how you depict people who can actually watch the movie, but overall I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Rated 14 Aug 2018
burrrburrr
Rated 29 May 2018
83
64th
82.50+.50 = 83.00.
Rated 29 May 2018
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 03 Jan 2017
79
66th
A nice film. Despite dealing with a serious and bordering on taboo subject, it was never far from the next humourous moment. Most of the acting was spot-on, but especially John Hawkes. His tragicomic portrayal of quadriplegia showed disability in a positive and revealing light. Although the story didn't stun me with its emotional wallop or magicality, I was pleased to get through it without a hint of pacing problems or awkwardness. And pleased to have seen it too.
Rated 03 Jan 2017
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 23 Sep 2016
83
87th
This is a well made and really interesting film. The performances are all great, Both Helen hunt and John Hawkes are fantastic in the lead roles. William H. Macy is also good here in a supporting role. Overall I would highly recommend this film.
Rated 23 Sep 2016
ag0stomesmerAg0stoMesmer
Rated 14 Aug 2014
2
46th
The info-dumps are hella-clunky and macy's priest far-beyond too-good-to-be-true but the relationship between him and hawkes was the highlight for me. Some nice humour as well. Seemed bits/scenes were missing (the reception stuff?), 'messy' but worth a look.
Rated 14 Aug 2014
chemical404chemical404
Rated 07 Jul 2014
38
21st
At least it's not as nauseating as those Hollywood produced saccharine melodramas that always have "Based on true story" under the title on their posters. Morality of the film is often confusing and feels wrong to me, but I'm learning that I've been out of touch with reality. That explains a lot.
Rated 07 Jul 2014
shauny18shauny18
Rated 06 Jul 2014
66
73rd
Its a difficult subject matter to portray on screen but I think everything was handled really well. The film really starts moving once the relationship between Hawkes and Hunt starts and you get to see the chemistry grow over time. John Hawkes is exceptional as the lead and brings emotion and also humour to the role. I think there is a good overall balance between the humour and sadness throughout the movie which makes this a very entertaining watch.
Rated 06 Jul 2014
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 24 May 2014
80
83rd
I have always appreciated Helen Hunt for her many wonderful roles, and this proves again that she has incredible range. She is entirely convincing as the sex therapist, and it doesn't hurt that she gets naked, though it is a bit clinical. John Hawkes gives an excellent performance as the quadraplegic, and his character is quite likable. Even though the material has many sad overtones, it is presented in a sweet and thoughtful way. A very unusual and interesting movie experience.
Rated 24 May 2014
damildamil
Rated 29 Aug 2013
70
67th
I liked this film, but it wasn't everything I hoped it would be. It's a really interesting subject, but it's not explored all that deeply and doesn't have quite enough story behind it to keep the film moving. John Hawkes is excellent, as I knew he would be. I didn't really care for Helen Hunt's performance and her character didn't always feel real. Some of the dialogue didn't feel naturalistic, either. Anyway, it was a nice film and I recommend it.
Rated 29 Aug 2013
rufamRufam
Rated 28 Aug 2013
70
57th
A sweet, gentle film about a difficult and rarely (if ever) examined subject: the sex life of disabled people. Although the script can be contrived (the narration is an unescessry device for example), "The Sessions" is ultimately worthwhile thanks to Hawkes' and Hunt's strong performanes and overall good-natured and likable vibe.
Rated 28 Aug 2013
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 25 Aug 2013
84
38th
hawkes and hunt form a poignant and realistic tandem.......
Rated 25 Aug 2013
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 15 Aug 2013
77
73rd
The Sessions is a light-hearted funny film considering Hawkes' situation, but it does seem to take a more dramatic tone near the end. Hawkes shows why he is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, Helen Hunt gives a good performance, and William H. Macy supports as a cool priest.
Rated 15 Aug 2013
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 11 Aug 2013
80
66th
The acting and writing are top-notch, but the premise gets old about halfway through. Still, a highly recommended watch.
Rated 11 Aug 2013
walkenrollWalkenRoll
Rated 14 Jul 2013
70
43rd
Interesting...although could've been a little longer, I suppose...it sort of just seemed to fly by with nothing much happening.
Rated 14 Jul 2013
grouchyGrouchy
Rated 17 Jun 2013
77
44th
John Hawkes is excellent in a movie that's gripping for its frank portrayal of sexuality. It touches upon many interesting topics and perhaps its only (inevitably) fault is the character of the kind priest. But still, a very good film.
Rated 17 Jun 2013
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 03 Jun 2013
75
76th
Poignant and beautifully performed by all involved. If there is a criticism to be made it's that the relationship between the two leads could have be built upon even more, and seemed to develop just a little two quick. William H. Macy really needs a fucking haircut too.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
nick-hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
60
47th
http://gorgview.com/the-sessions
Rated 03 Jun 2013
snazzSnazz
Rated 18 May 2013
70
71st
I am not sure if a person in this condition is able to keep his humour and optimism to this degree. Nevertheless a good movie (for a mature audience) based on great performances.
Rated 18 May 2013
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 30 Apr 2013
77
45th
Predicted score: 77 (Alright). Yup, feels about right.
Rated 30 Apr 2013
teckgeckoteckgecko
Rated 14 Mar 2013
62
24th
An interesting, if not great, film. More dramatic and less funny than the trailers would lead you to believe, though still pretty light-hearted for the most part. The recurring hotel clerk character seems entirely unnecessary and the ending feels rather tacked on. The movie gives a glimpse of interactions with a number of people in O'Brien's life, but none sufficiently in-depth to be truly satisfying unfortunately.
Rated 14 Mar 2013
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 27 Feb 2013
90
94th
A delicate subject handled in a frank, humorous and sensitive way. Performances are top notch and it doesn't pull any punches. Not perfect but a damned fine movie
Rated 27 Feb 2013
laurenmlaurenm
Rated 24 Feb 2013
95
94th
Incredibly moving, sad, tender, sweet, funny. I went in with no expectations and was rewarded with an incredible story that stayed with me.
Rated 24 Feb 2013
ozonepaulozonepaul
Rated 24 Feb 2013
88
55th
Amazing performances by the main characters.Frankly approaching difficult subject matters like sex and disability is not easy but this movie is charmingly honest. I enjoyed it a lot.
Rated 24 Feb 2013
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 21 Feb 2013
55
43rd
There is an inner beauty that feels both pleasant and strange, and that is given mostly by the confident acting of everyone involved, but I just can't see this film as something great. It certainly achieves a high level of intimacy -- we, the viewers, are always put in a voyeuristic position --, and it also provides a wicked tenderness through a poignant and sincere speech about the discovery of the body --, but, despite it all, this is as light and easygoing as, huh, (500) Days with summer.
Rated 21 Feb 2013
hajikarimihajikarimi
Rated 14 Feb 2013
90
59th
1101: painful !
Rated 14 Feb 2013
dalbozDalboz
Rated 13 Feb 2013
66
38th
If Helen Hunt was nominated for an Oscar (for her nudity, most likely), I don't get why John Hawkes wasn't as he puts in such a strong performance with such limitations. This movie was seriously misadvertised. The trailer makes it seem like a comedy, which it is far from. It's a huge let down. So much more could have been made out of this movie, and you walk away feeling that it's a failure of unrealized potential. I know it's based on a true story, but still, it could have been so much more.
Rated 13 Feb 2013
mightysparksmightysparks
Rated 12 Feb 2013
60
68th
Careful and overdone, but well-made. It would've been an easier film if they'd sexualized the sex, cast 'attractive' young people, but instead they cast average looking people at the right age and kept the sex aspect natural, emotional and vulnerable. Hawkes and Hunt, both of whom I generally dislike, give pretty good performances.
Rated 12 Feb 2013
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 12 Feb 2013
85
59th
Liked this a lot more than I ever expected to. It works mostly because John Hawkes is so damn great in it, managing to make a guy who has been confined to an iron lung for so long seem as if he's bursting with life.
Rated 12 Feb 2013
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 02 Feb 2013
55
47th
The supporting characters had no development whatsoever. Also how did Hunt's character fell in love with Mark? She is a professional and has surely dealt with similar situations before.
Rated 02 Feb 2013
kavuKavu
Rated 02 Feb 2013
76
58th
Hawkes and Hunt are both brilliant and the script works well enough.
Rated 02 Feb 2013
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 30 Jan 2013
75
65th
A film that floats largely on the very good performances - the script has a lot going for it but is also hard to believe at times, and ultimately lacks a proper dramatic arc. The best parts for me were the scenes with the wonderful Macy and the brilliant Hawkes.
Rated 30 Jan 2013
zaezae
Rated 26 Jan 2013
45
11th
Compelling subject matter, sympathetic characters, and a strong cast. Writing and directing lets it down, though. Despite the actors' performances, the film feels quite clinical and boring, and after the halfway mark I frequently found myself distracted and started surfing Criticker while keeping one eye on the film.
Rated 26 Jan 2013
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 21 Jan 2013
70
50th
Wow, they did a HORRIBLE job advertising the Deadwood wrap-up movie.
Rated 21 Jan 2013
quez2goquez2go
Rated 13 Jan 2013
88
88th
This is an amazing film led by the brilliant performance of John Hawkes. The supporting cast is great all around, and the screenplay/direction does a great job of not making this film pretentious or overly sentimental, instead giving it a sense of humor. I would highly recommend, especially since it doesn't look like it's going to get the award season attention that it really deserves and that attracts an audience to this type of film.
Rated 13 Jan 2013
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 12 Jan 2013
78
79th
Touching and very important portrait of sexual life of dispelled people. Strong part by John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. Funny and well written story. The end could be less rushed but then again it was nothing about the sessions.
Rated 12 Jan 2013
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 07 Jan 2013
87
81st
a huge success of turning a heartbreaking dramatic situation into a most wonderful romatic comedy with a beautiful love story... Helen Hunt's role as a "sex surrogate" is incredible, she is very comfortable with her body (which looks like the body of a 30 yo)
Rated 07 Jan 2013
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Dec 2012
7
84th
A nice little character piece which is successful as a drama but, ironically, given its serious subject matter, even a touch more successful as a comedy. John Hawkes would seem like a damn good actor even if this was all you'd ever seen him in, but comparing him in this to in Winter's Bone and Martha Marcy May Marlene and realizing that's the same dude, holy shit.
Rated 14 Dec 2012
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 12 Dec 2012
95
91st
It's fantastic. Beautiful, kind of weird in a wholesome and dignified way. John Hawkes... Jesus. Christ. He's good.
Rated 12 Dec 2012
danastevensdanastevens
Rated 30 Nov 2012
80
80th
This frank, funny, tender film both asks and receives more from its sex scenes than any movie I've seen in a long time.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 26 Nov 2012
75
75th
Though the content makes the film often difficult-to-watch, the performances of Hawkes and Hunt are excellent.
Rated 26 Nov 2012
medcityflixMedCityFlix
Rated 21 Nov 2012
88
77th
Hanky-Panky in the iron tankie. John Hawkes is an under-the-radar actor and with this, his 60th film, it's about time everyone knows his name.
Rated 21 Nov 2012
caprimodecaprimode
Rated 15 Nov 2012
80
70th
Uplifting, and surprisingly it handles its source material with a sense of humor. This is fitting, because the essentially paralyzed main character handles himself in the same way. The movie works best when it is a character study analyzing Mark's sexual behavior - but also when it points that finger at the therapist/surrogate Cheryl (bravely played by Helen Hunt). An all around strong effort.
Rated 15 Nov 2012
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 10 Nov 2012
70
77th
The Sessions is a good, if unspectacular movie. It shouldn't be in theaters. It is not watched best in a theater. It's one of those few movies -- Lifetime being the best example of this -- that is better on the small screen, in the comfort of your own house. The director, Ben Lewin, is a polio survivor himself, and you can tell it's an immensely personal film. You can only get the kinds of moments that the movie strives for when watching it alone, free from the distractions of other people.
Rated 10 Nov 2012

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...