---
product_id: 20270380
title: "The Sessions"
price: "S$9"
currency: SGD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.sg/products/20270380-the-sessions
store_origin: SG
region: Singapore
---

# The Sessions

**Price:** S$9
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Sessions
- **How much does it cost?** S$9 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sg](https://www.desertcart.sg/products/20270380-the-sessions)

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- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
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## Description

Product Description Based on the poignantly optimistic autobiographical writings of California-based journalist and poet Mark O'Brien, THE SESSIONS tells the story of a man confined to an iron lung who is determined - at age 38 - to lose his virginity. With the help of his therapists and the guidance of his priest, he sets out to make his dream a reality. desertcart.com It almost seems like a miracle when a director manages to make a dynamic movie about a character with limited mobility, but The Sessions joins the ranks of successful efforts like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. In adapting the remembrances of Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes, Winter's Bone), who spent most of his life in an iron lung, Australian filmmaker and fellow polio survivor Ben Lewin recounts his alternately sad and funny attempts to lose his virginity (O'Brien previously appeared as himself in Jessica Yu's documentary Breathing Lessons). By 1988, the 36-year-old Berkeley writer had forged friendships with women, but romantic relationships eluded him. In discussing the matter with his therapist, she suggests Cheryl Cohen Greene (Helen Hunt), a wife, mother, and sexual surrogate. It's a viable solution, but as a devout Catholic, Mark is uncomfortable with the idea of extramarital relations, so he shares his concerns with an open-minded priest (William H. Macy). With an absence of pity and an abundance of wit, Lewin documents Mark's journey though this physical, emotional, and spiritual minefield, which takes a toll on Cheryl as well, since her husband (Adam Arkin) resents the closeness she develops with her client (though plausible, this subplot feels forced). If Hunt received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her performance, which involves a fair amount of nudity, the Academy failed to recognize Hawkes, a regrettable omission as this fine actor succeeds in creating a fully rounded human being whose desire for affection feels as universal as it does specific. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Review: Guided by an Intuitive Sex Surrogate and a Mindful Priest, Mark O'Brien Seals the Libidinal Deal / A Remarkable Film - Mark O'Brien, a gifted poet and writer and the subject of this marvelous biopic, was stricken with polio as a young child. Still maintaining sensitivity to touch, he lost the use of most muscles and lived out his life in an iron lung, with 4 hours a day outside it, aided by a portable respirator. As we meet up with him in this screenplay, he is 38, and what still works are his great mind, his speech, his humor, and his penis. He longs to experience intercourse with a woman, "before the expiration date"-- his great line. Playing this role so excellently and authentically is John Hawkes. Helen Hunt is Cheryl Cohen-Greene, the sex surrogate. She shines here in the most natural, honest way, displaying her nudity and commitment with pure grace, as she helps Mark realize his dream. William H. Macy is also extraordinary as Father Brendan, in whom Mark confides all his romantic and sexual dreams and to whom he recounts all the details of the therapy. Father Brendan compassionately suspends all judgement and becomes a great support for Mark in this sexual journey, adding that he believes God is giving him "a free pass" in this pursuit. Ben Lewin is the wise and insightful writer and director, who utilizes much of Mark's own writing and thoughts in the construction of this exceptional film. In fact, all filmmaking disciplines are on point. The photography is excellent. The acting is brilliant, even in the supporting cast. I have to offer up a serious superlative here-- this is one of the best films ever!
Review: My new favorite all time movie - I love this movie! As usual, I wanted to make sure I saw all the movies up for Academy Awards. At the last minute (Saturday before the big day) I watched Argo (not so much) and The Sessions. OMG! I watched it once and then watched it again a couple of hours later. Then I watched it again on Sunday. Then again on Monday. I will probably watch it again today now that I am thinking about it while writing this review. This is a sweet, lovely, funny, poignant, endearing story. It is a real story and is local and current for me. I lived in the Bay Area in the 1980's when Mark O'Brian (played convincingly by John Hawkes) was living in Berkeley and having this wonderful adventure. At the age of 38, this brave poet who lived motionless in an iron lung 20 hours per day with no ability to move any part of his body other than his head ... and, oh yeah, his penis ... decides that he wants to have sex. With the help of a sex therapist / surrogate played exquisitely by Helen Hunt, and his priest played hysterically by William Macy, Mark turns mission impossible into one of the most tender human connection ... and, yes ... even love stories. I laughed and I wept. Every time I watch this precious movie I see something new that cracks me up -- either in laughter or tears -- or both at the same time. This movie is all about sex, but it is not titillating or kinky or an any way offensive. It is beautiful. Helen Hunt is the perfect Cheryl - lovely in every way. William Macy is the wild card -- what a perfect man to play the sincere yet sort of odd ball priest. I can't imagine what John Hawlkes had to do to be able to play Mark in such a believable way. Moon Bloodgood is magnificent as Vera, Mark's attendant during his poignant journey to "full-blooded male homo sapianhood".

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | B00AEK9BKQ |
| Actors  | Annika Marks, Helen Hunt, John Hawkes, Moon Bloodgood, William H. Macy |
| Aspect Ratio  | 1.85:1 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #58,419 in Movies & TV ( See Top 100 in Movies & TV ) #9,316 in Drama DVDs |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,899) |
| Dubbed:  | French, Spanish |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer  | No |
| Item model number  | 26219600 |
| MPAA rating  | R (Restricted) |
| Media Format  | Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Widescreen |
| Number of discs  | 1 |
| Product Dimensions  | 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 1.6 ounces |
| Release date  | February 12, 2013 |
| Run time  | 1 hour and 35 minutes |
| Studio  | Fox Searchlight |
| Subtitles:  | English, French, Spanish |

## Product Details

- **Contributor:** Annika Marks, Helen Hunt, John Hawkes, Moon Bloodgood, William H. Macy
- **Format:** Color, Multiple Formats, NTSC, Widescreen
- **Genre:** Drama
- **Language:** English
- **Runtime:** 1 hour and 35 minutes

## Images

![The Sessions - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51W-zf5BBSL.jpg)
![The Sessions - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71uaDnrOf2L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Guided by an Intuitive Sex Surrogate and a Mindful Priest, Mark O'Brien Seals the Libidinal Deal / A Remarkable Film
*by N***L on November 28, 2016*

Mark O'Brien, a gifted poet and writer and the subject of this marvelous biopic, was stricken with polio as a young child. Still maintaining sensitivity to touch, he lost the use of most muscles and lived out his life in an iron lung, with 4 hours a day outside it, aided by a portable respirator. As we meet up with him in this screenplay, he is 38, and what still works are his great mind, his speech, his humor, and his penis. He longs to experience intercourse with a woman, "before the expiration date"-- his great line. Playing this role so excellently and authentically is John Hawkes. Helen Hunt is Cheryl Cohen-Greene, the sex surrogate. She shines here in the most natural, honest way, displaying her nudity and commitment with pure grace, as she helps Mark realize his dream. William H. Macy is also extraordinary as Father Brendan, in whom Mark confides all his romantic and sexual dreams and to whom he recounts all the details of the therapy. Father Brendan compassionately suspends all judgement and becomes a great support for Mark in this sexual journey, adding that he believes God is giving him "a free pass" in this pursuit. Ben Lewin is the wise and insightful writer and director, who utilizes much of Mark's own writing and thoughts in the construction of this exceptional film. In fact, all filmmaking disciplines are on point. The photography is excellent. The acting is brilliant, even in the supporting cast. I have to offer up a serious superlative here-- this is one of the best films ever!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My new favorite all time movie
*by C***T on March 7, 2013*

I love this movie! As usual, I wanted to make sure I saw all the movies up for Academy Awards. At the last minute (Saturday before the big day) I watched Argo (not so much) and The Sessions. OMG! I watched it once and then watched it again a couple of hours later. Then I watched it again on Sunday. Then again on Monday. I will probably watch it again today now that I am thinking about it while writing this review. This is a sweet, lovely, funny, poignant, endearing story. It is a real story and is local and current for me. I lived in the Bay Area in the 1980's when Mark O'Brian (played convincingly by John Hawkes) was living in Berkeley and having this wonderful adventure. At the age of 38, this brave poet who lived motionless in an iron lung 20 hours per day with no ability to move any part of his body other than his head ... and, oh yeah, his penis ... decides that he wants to have sex. With the help of a sex therapist / surrogate played exquisitely by Helen Hunt, and his priest played hysterically by William Macy, Mark turns mission impossible into one of the most tender human connection ... and, yes ... even love stories. I laughed and I wept. Every time I watch this precious movie I see something new that cracks me up -- either in laughter or tears -- or both at the same time. This movie is all about sex, but it is not titillating or kinky or an any way offensive. It is beautiful. Helen Hunt is the perfect Cheryl - lovely in every way. William Macy is the wild card -- what a perfect man to play the sincere yet sort of odd ball priest. I can't imagine what John Hawlkes had to do to be able to play Mark in such a believable way. Moon Bloodgood is magnificent as Vera, Mark's attendant during his poignant journey to "full-blooded male homo sapianhood".

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Touching story full of love, triumph, cheers and tears.
*by J***7 on September 10, 2013*

I enjoyed this movie, Mark O'Brien was a very likable, incredible man who was able to maintain a great sense of humor even in a life that offered the average person every reason to just shut down and give up, not only was he doomed to a life in an iron lung, he also had to deal with a great amount of guilt that started with Polio and included the death of a sibling. Every character in this story was extraordinary from the Priest to every caretaker. I laughed and cried I did appreciate that the producers were able to maintain a sense of dignity in showing the public what was required for Mark to fulfill his dreams of being a complete man. Jody Foster, John Hawks and William H. Macey were perfectly cast.

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*Product available on Desertcart Singapore*
*Store origin: SG*
*Last updated: 2026-02-22*