Mark got polio when he was 6; he’s been confined to an iron lung his whole life, and he’s never had a girlfriend. 

His body is twisted and looks like it’s shriveled. 

Yet Mark, the main character in “the Sessions,” wants one thing: to experience sexual intercourse with a woman before dying. 

But that’s easier said than done. 

To do this, he seeks the help of Cheryl (Helen Hunt), a sexual therapist. 

During their first session, as Cheryl undresses Mark, he begins to breath heavily and turns red at her touch.

 It’s almost like a big flashing light telling us that he is experiencing great physical and emotional pain, and it is seen on Hawkes’ face that his character is not yet ready for sex, despite being 38.

Nothing happens during their first session.

This is where Ben Lewin’s story—which he wrote and directed—begins to take on a more serious portrayal of sex: Mark, although inhibited by his physical disabilities, struggles to accept his sexuality and has to prepare himself both mentally and emotionally before following through with his plans. 

Underneath the physical barriers that keep Mark from having relationships is his religious upbringing. 

Mark, a spiritual man, goes so far as to ask the priest at his local church, father Brendan (William H. Macy sporting long, unkempt hair), for permission to have sex before marriage. 

Seeing how hopeless Mark’s situation is, Father Brendan tells him that God will probably give him a free pass on this one and understand where he’s coming from. 

Lewin begins to hone in on the impact religion and family have on sex, showing that even a film with a plot that seems so absurd to be taken seriously can be grounded in reality. 

“The Sessions” underscores that sex is a very private and delicate matter that involves more than just physical interaction, even though there’s nudity in almost every one of the most crucial scenes in the film. 

The nudity is tasteful, with both characters diluting the intensity of each scene with warm humor and personal stories of their upbringings. 

Taking on the role of the Mark—and playing a very difficult character—is John Hawkes, who completely transforms himself into a feeble man who has to be wheeled everywhere on a gurney, and depends on a group of nurses to get him through each day. 

Yet he maintains a level of enthusiasm that is extremely admirable, though he is in a hopeless situation that will continue to grow worse even if he manages to form some intimate relationship with a woman. 

Though Cheryl’s time with Mark is strictly professional, they form an intimate relationship and discover their fears and dreams; more than sexuality is explored during their brief sessions. Mark begins to explore more of himself and delves into the past to find out why he has become so reclusive and why he fears intimacy even if it is offered to him on a silver platter. 

“The Sessions” is not a film about sex, and it’s certainly much more complicated than the plot presented to viewers through trailers.

It’s not a tacky film relying on gimmicks that hold a moviegoer’s hand through 95 minutes of footage. 

It’s a story about overcoming one’s fears and realizing that, in the end, you survive. 

Jaime Lopez can be reached at 581-2812 or jlopez2@eiu.edu.