The Sessions - B+

Rated R, 98 minutes

The superbly acted, touching "The Sessions" a must-see

Helen Hunt and John Hawkes

If all therapists looked like Helen Hunt, I'd be in therapy all the time. "The Sessions" is a funny, poignant look at a rather unique client-therapist relationship. Based on the poignantly optimistic autobiographical writings of California-based journalist and poet Mark O'Brien (played by John Hawkes), "The Sessions" tells the story of O'Brien, a polio survivor confined to an iron lung who is determined - at age 38 - to lose his virginity. With the help of a lovely sex therapist (Hunt) and the guidance of his priest (William H. Macy), he sets out to make his dream a reality. Sweet, sexy and funny, "The Sessions" is one of the year's more memorable films, with excellent turns from both Hawkes, reminiscent of Daniel Day-Lewis's "My Left Foot," and Hunt, in a particularly soul-baring, brave performance. Both will likely and rightfully earn Oscar nominations for their strong turns here, in a film that is more than about sex. Based on the true story of O'Brien (who died in 1999), the film's plot is a familiar triumph-of-the-human-spirit type that Hollywood (and the Oscars in particular) seem to enjoy. But Hawkes and Hunt imbue "Sessions" with such a sweet, funny sense of humanity it's quite touching (and in some cases deeper than you might expect) and entertaining. The vastly enjoyable "The Sessions" is a must-see for the the performances, especially Hunt, who is still stunningly beautiful at age 50. For more on O'Brien, also check out the Oscar-winning 1996 documentary short "Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien."

Wes's Grade: B+