Love, Sex, Life, And Death
Ben Lewin's The Sessions is a remarkable little film. It is based on an essay by Mark O'Brien, the main character of the film, played by the exceptionally talented John Hawkes. The film itself focuses on a brief period of time in Mark's life in his later years; a time when he longs for female companionship. Oh boy, what a tumultuous and difficult life Mark must have led. He was stricken with polio at the age of 6, which left him essentially paralyzed (though as he notes, he technically isn't paralyzed, his muscles just don't work much at all). He sleeps and lives most of his hours inside an iron lung, though he can spend a few hours outside it if he has his breathing tube.
The brilliance of the film is its refusal to inundate the audience with sympathy for Mark's condition. Mark himself doesn't feel bad about it. Not once does he complain. Not once does he ever say he wishes he were "normal." Deep down, I suspect part of him does, but he never lets it show. He lives life as if the glass is half full - perhaps I should say "entirely full." He's kind and generous. He's affectionate. He's incredibly funny; anything he does say about his condition is a sardonic humor. He's religious - I hesitate to say devout - but he does go to church, and talks regularly and openly with his priest (William H. Macy). He believes in God, but in "a God with a wicked sense of humor for creating [him] in His image." Mark himself has that same wicked sense of humor. He can make anybody laugh. It's impossible not to like this guy.
Early in the film, he tells one of his aides (whom has known only briefly) that he loves her and then proposes marriage. Does he really love her? Does he actually know what love is, or is it mere infatuation? That's part of his journey; learning the difference. Eventually someone suggests to him the idea of a sex therapist - someone who works with the disabled. This way, he can lose his virginity. Enter: Cheryl (Helen Hunt). When Cheryl and Mark first meet, Cheryl explicitly explains the difference between her job and prostitution - "Prostitutes want your return business, I don't." She says there is a maximum limit of six sessions, could be less, but no more. Her personal life stays out of it.
John Hawkes has always been a talented actor. I remember him first in Congo, though not well. He was outstanding in the brilliant Me and You and Everyone We Know. The last three years, however, he's burst onto the indie film scene with some amazing performances, usually bony and ragged, such as his Oscar-nominated performance in Winter's Bone, or his role as a sociopathic cult leader in Martha Marcy May Marlene. Here, he steps into an entirely new role; one of the most physically confining roles in recent memory. He has little to work with (physically) considering he can't move a majority of his body. Hawkes has always been miraculous at the subtleties of acting; he never overplays, never goes over-the-top. He keeps his performances grounded, and here he brings a sweetness and humor to the screen that we haven't seen from him before now. Rightfully, he has earned SAG, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award nominations. He is justifiably destined for an Oscar nomination.
Helen Hunt turns in her best performance since 1997's As Good As It Gets, where she won the Oscar for Best Actress. Her role walks a tight rope between professionalism and emotional attachment, and Hunt is able to do it without a single misstep. Once again, rightfully, she has also earned the same three award nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category.
If there were one complaint to launch against the film, it would be a failure to live up to its true emotional potential. I wasn't nearly as engaged in some of the film's later dramatic developments as I could have been. I loved Mark, but I could have felt for him more. Nevertheless, this is a minor glitch in an otherwise outstanding piece of cinema.
This is a wonderful film. A film with a unique, dynamic, funny protagonist who doesn't view life with disdain. He wishes for more, certainly, but never blames himself or anyone else for what he may not have. Hawkes' embodiment of Mark is a brilliant piece of understated and subtle acting. This is a film of great acting power. A film with a message; no matter what obstacles life throws at you, pick yourself up and look to the finer things. You may die happy that way.
No comments:
Post a Comment