The Sessions - Cinema Review

This feels like an ideal opportunity to explore the trials of a distinctly modern unit (a la something like The Kids Are All Right) but Lewin all but ignores it.

The first film by Ben Lewin since little-seen 1994 Rom-Com Lucky Break, The Sessions does, unfortunately, show some evidence that the director has acquired some rust during his time off. At ninety-five minutes, Lewin's film should be a perfect length but somehow it feels slight and rushed, particularly in the concluding third, which rattles off supposedly-poignant finales with machine-gun rate lip-service.

As hinted by the categories in which The Sessions has received most of its awards buzz, the acting on show here is where most of the value lies. Oscar nominee Helen Hunt may not strictly belong in the supporting category but belong at awards ceremonies she does. Hunt's 'sex surrogate' is a brave role beyond the obvious devotion to physical performance and the actress - excuse me - nails her charge; all surface confidence and repressed nervous energy. John Hawkes can feel aggrieved not to have joined her but perhaps his omission is more to do with the 'modern' Academy's wish to move away from the perceived notion that they will reward any able-bodied actor portraying a disabled character. Moon Bloodgood - the genuine support - is outstanding. Annika Marks, in a lesser role, is also very good.

The problems with these characters are problems to be laid at the feet of the writer/director, rather than his performers. Cheryl (Hunt) has a modern job and a modern family. She has sex with Mark (Hawkes) during the day and then goes home to her husband and kid at night. This feels like an ideal opportunity to explore the trials of a distinctly modern unit (a la something like The Kids Are All Right) but Lewin all but ignores it. He turns instead to Hunt's conversion to Judaism, suggesting a religious bent in tune with Mark's best friend, a priest played by William H. Macy, but again we never really get anywhere thematically - or even plot wise. Bloodgood is dressed about as dowdily as anyone can be, and she refers to a rocky relationship with her boyfriend, but again, we never get into the deeper ideas behind these decisions, or the sexual politics the film may or may not have.

The story eventually feels far too wrapped up in Mark's sexual awakening - which is interesting - and little bothered with the arguably more interesting sub-conscious ideas of the cast of characters. The Sessions is by no means bad, but its lack of depth is a significant problem. It's perhaps fair to expect more of Lewin when he's fully back in the groove.