The Sessions

Mark O'Brien, a poet and reporter paralyzed by polio since childhood, lives with the aid of an iron lung. He writes from his bed, using wit to cope with isolation and a stubborn sense of humor. A writing assignment about sexuality and disability sparks a bold question: can he experience physical closeness and genuine connection? He chooses to find out, enlisting a professional sex surrogate named Cheryl Cohen-Greene. Their initial sessions are tentative and awkward, but a slow trust develops as they define boundaries, care, and late night conversations. The film follows his path as he faces desire and dignity without sensationalism.

Directed by Ben Lewin, The Sessions released in 2012 and adapts the real life story of Mark O'Brien. With a modest budget of about one million, the film offers a humane portrait of a polio survivor pursuing love.

The film grossed $9,138,338 worldwide on a $1,000,000 budget, signaling a solid return for a tightly focused drama that resonated with both arthouse and general audiences. Its release strategy relied on word of mouth and selective theaters, rather than a wide blockbuster rollout.

The Sessions helped spark conversations about sexuality and disability in mainstream cinema, offering an unusually frank portrayal of intimacy and consent. It drew praise for Hawkes and Hunt, whose restrained performances grounded a difficult subject in humanity and humor. Some viewers praised the film for treating desire as a natural part of life, while others debated the ethics of sex surrogacy.

Critics highlighted the film's balance of humor and gravity and its focus on independence, personal agency, and the dignity of choosing one's own path. The performances by Hawkes and Hunt anchor a story that examines vulnerability, consent, and the limits of physical circumstance, while avoiding sentimentality. The result is a persuasive look at love, self respect, and the power of personal choice.