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