The Sessions (film)

The Sessions is a 2012 film about a man in an iron lung who, wishing to lose his virginity, contacts a sexual surrogate with the help of his priest. Directed and written by Ben Lewin, based on the article "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" by Mark O'Brien. THE FESTIVAL HIT OF THE YEAR!Taglines Mark O'Brien [to Amanda] I'm interested in the opinion of an asshole. [to Father Brendan] My penis speaks to me, Father Brendan. Holy Mother of God, what are "body awareness exercises"? Cheryl Cohen-Greene [to Mark O'Brien] It was penis-vagina all the way. And you definitely get an A for orgasm. Father Brendan [to Mark O'Brien] It's amazing to me how often God is brought into the sex act. I understand even among non-believers the most common expression of sexual ecstasy is "Oh, God!" Dialogue Joan: Would you mind if I asked you a favor? Mark O'Brien: What? You need help moving furniture. Father Brendan: I understand you'd like me to hear your confession. Mark O'Brien: Yes, I would. I told my attendant to come back in half an hour. Is that okay? Father Brendan: I'm in no rush. Mark O'Brien: I can be a bit time consuming, but I'm, uh, worth the trouble.[Father Brendan breaks a smile for the first time.]Father Brendan: I'm here for you, Mark.[He sits down.]Mark O'Brien: Okay, this is not exactly a confession. I haven't yet done the deed. I was hoping sort of hoping to get a quote in advance. Father Brendan: What's on your mind? Mark O'Brien: The most immediate thing on my mind would be one of my attendants, Joan. I'm thinking of getting rid of her. It's an evil thought, but I - I can't help it. Father Brendan: Is she dishonest, or incompetent? Mark O'Brien: No, neither of those. She looks at me the wrong way. It's that you-need-me-more-than-I-need-you look. I'd like to show her she's wrong, just for the evil satisfaction it will give me. Is that a sin, Father? Father Brendan: Well, it obviously troubles you. Mark O'Brien: Yes, it troubles me a lot because what if it's really just a power trip. You know? Me against her. Me against the world. Father Brendan: I really wouldn't worry about that. The question is whether you like having her around. Mark O'Brien: I can't stand her. Father Brendan: Well, then get rid of her. If I were in a position to choose, I'd find someone nice. Even if it was a power trip. Mark O'Brien: Then I have your blessing to fire her? Father Brendan: Unofficially, yes. Mark O'Brien: That's good enough for me. Mark O'Brien: Do you have any experience? Amanda: No, none at all. Mark O'Brien: That sounds perfect. Amanda: So, how long can you stay out? Mark O'Brien: Three or four hours. Amanda: Yeah? Mark O'Brien: Depends on how much fun I'm having. Mark O'Brien: So, what sort of chance do you give me? Laura White: Of achieving your romantic fantasy? Very small to minute. Mark O'Brien: Oh, look, you don't have to pull any punches. You can be direct with me. Laura White: Would I be correct in assuming you're unable to masturbate? Mark O'Brien: Correct. Laura White: Has anyone done it for you? Mark O'Brien: No. Laura White: Have you ever asked anyone? Mark O'Brien: Not specifically. I asked someone to marry me once. She declined. Does that come close to masturbation? Mark O'Brien: So, is it possible for me to know a woman in the biblical sense, so to speak? And - and do I want to find out? Father Brendan: And you want my opinion? Mark O'Brien: Please.[Father Brendan contemplates for a few moments. He looks up at the statue of Jesus, then makes a decision.]Father Brendan: In my heart, I feel like He'll give you a free pass on this one. Go for it. Mark O'Brien: I feel really proud of myself, imposing on someone I hardly know, to fornicate in their home. Rod: Get over it. It's perfectly normal. Clerk: So, uh, what sort of therapy are they doing? Vera: They're having sex.[The clerk laughs.]Clerk: You're shitting me. Vera: Okay, I'm shitting you. Clerk: Oh no, come on, tell me for real. What are they actually doing? Vera: Well, today, after some appropriate foreplay, they're gonna try to achieve full penetration. Cheryl Cohen-Greene: So, what shall we talk about? Mark O'Brien: We don't have to do much talking?[Cheryl smiles at Mark.]Mark O'Brien: I just wanted to be seen with you in public. And I want people to say, "Hey, who's that gimp with that beautiful blonde?" Clerk: What kind of therapist is she, really? Vera: I told you the first time, she's a sex therapist. [The clerk looks at her closely. She appears to have a completely straight face.]Vera: Today they're working on simultaneous orgasm. Clerk: What's that? Mark O'Brien: I wanted to believe that because of Cheryl, my life had changed. But it hadn't. I just kept thinking, is that it? Is that all there is? Father Brendan: I think you've done a great thing. Susan Fernbach: Would you like me to visit you? Mark O'Brien: Are you married? Susan Fernbach: No. Mark O'Brien: Do you have a steady boyfriend? Susan Fernbach: No. Mark O'Brien: Then please visit as often as you can. Father Brendan: I'm flabbergasted. Mark O'Brien: She adores me. She'll do anything for me, and I can get pretty kinky sometimes. Father Brendan: Here I was, ready to offer comfort to the forlorn. That's supposed to be my specialty. Now I guess I can throw away that little speech. Mark O'Brien: No, no. Please make the little speech. I'd love to hear it. Father Brendan: Okay, fine. Here it goes. The meaning of love. Love is a journey. Mark O'Brien: I like it already.[There is a pause.]'' Father Brendan: That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. I told you it’s short. Love is a journey. Taglines THE FESTIVAL HIT OF THE YEAR! BASED ON THE TRIUMPHANT TRUE STORY Cast John Hawkes - Mark O'Brien Helen Hunt - Cheryl Cohen-Greene William H. Macy - Father Brendan Moon Bloodgood - Vera Annika Marks - Amanda Rhea Perlman - Mikvah lady W. Earl Brown - Rod Robin Weigert - Susan Fernbach Blake Lindsley - Laura White Ming Lo - Clerk Jennifer Kumiyama - Carmen Rusty Schwimmer - Joan James Martinez - Matt Adam Arkin - Josh External links Category:2012 films Category:Drama films Category:Sundance Film Festival award–winning films Category:Films about disability