Based on the poignantly optimistic autobiographical writings of California–based
journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, THE SESSIONS tells the story of a man who lived
most of his life in an iron lung who is determined — at age 38 — to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapist and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality.

Read more about THE SESSIONS in our FILM NOTES

“At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, I would like to nominate John Hawkes and Helen Hunt in THE SESSIONS as the movie couple of the year. Their extraordinary connection. infuses the movie with a piercing depth of humanity and no small amount of humor.” -Stephen Holden, NY Times Critics’ Pick

“What [John Hawkes] does here is not only physically challenging, but requires timing and emotion to elevate the story into realms of deep feeling and, astonishingly, even comedy.” -Roger Ebert

“Radiating an affability that defines the movie’s tone, [Helen] Hunt delivers her finest performance since AS GOOD AS IT GETS.” -Eric Kohn, Indiewire