I know it is wrong for me to compare but I found 'The Sessions' a better film than 'The Intouchables'. While 'The Intouchalbe' is a conventional story about a friendship, 'The Sessions' explores a unique issue which many of us would rather not think about. Sex is not a topic which many people like to talk about so to see a film about sex and the disabled is a pretty major achievement. 'The Sessions' explores the issue in a very sensitive and heartfelt way. Writer/director Ben Lewin infuses the film with some humour which helps to lighten the mood and make the audience feel less uncomfortable about the topic which is discussed. I liked how the story was not as simple as a man finding someone to have sex with him, but you had into the mix his religious issues and you get a story which has a lot of substance. My only minor criticism is that Ben staged a few scenes in unusual ways which felt a bit weird to me.
John Hawkes may not be very popular but he is one of the best actors working in films today. John gives a nicely nuanced performance as Mark. This is another role where an actor can not perform physically and John makes more of the role than his limited capabilities. This is by far and away the best performance that Helen Hunt has ever given. She is very raw and reveals quite a lot which she should be commended for. But she does it with such ease that you have to remind yourself that it is and actor playing a role. William H. Macy provides much of the film's humour with his confessional session with John. Moon Bloodgood has mostly done action films so far in her career so it is nice to see her doing a role with more sensitivity and emotion.
An uncomfortable subject matter has been given a new lease on life in this brilliant film. It also features some of the best performances you are likely to see this year.
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