Note: This review covers adult content not appropriate for children.

THE SESSIONS (Rated R)

The big movie of the week is “Cloud Atlas,” an ambitious and dazzling epic spanning five centuries that explores questions about life and the human condition.
 
Six separate stories unfold in multiple timelines, where characters meet and reunite from one life to the next.  

The Wachowski siblings, who had teamed as the writers and directors of the “Matrix” trilogy, are part of the creative team for “Cloud Atlas.” That may tell you enough about what to expect.

Now, I lost nearly three hours of my life watching “Cloud Atlas,” which has its undeniable moments of cinematic brilliance, but I could not bring myself to spend time writing about it.

I can see why the film appeals to many critics. They often love films heavy with artistic pretension, mystical qualities and unfathomable storylines.

At this point, I am merely going to pivot to a film that is more worthy of critical acclaim, even if its audience appeal may be relatively limited.

“The Sessions” also has scored well with film critics, but for reasons that are easier to digest and comprehend. The acting alone is superb and transformative, but the story is very moving.

Based on the autobiographical writings of California poet and journalist Mark O’Brien, “The Sessions” tells the story of a man who lived most of his life in an iron lung and was determined, at age 38, to lose his virginity.

To that end, the film is based on O’Brien’s article, “On Seeing a Sex Surrogate,” which recounts his resolve to experience the emotional and physical pleasures that had eluded him.

In a role that is challenging, similar to what Daniel Day-Lewis experienced in “My Left Foot,” actor John Hawkes delivers an impressively transformative performance of Mark O’Brien, who is unable to move any part of his body below his neck.

That Mark can only move his head from side to side, using his mouth to hold a stylus for typing and dialing the telephone, has not curbed his ambition to live life to the fullest.

Stricken with polio at the age of 6, Mark can only stay outside of his iron lung for a few hours a day. He managed to graduate from UC Berkeley. A practicing Catholic, he also attends mass regularly.

His religious conviction is important. He confesses to his priest (William H. Macy) that he has had no luck in the conventional approach to love, but he wants to consult a sex surrogate who helps the disabled.

The role of parish priest Father Brendan is apparently a composite figure of several priests that Mark O’Brien consulted as he grappled in his angst over the moral predicament of his virginity.

Enter Cheryl Cohen-Greene (Helen Hunt), a sex therapist who approaches the assignment with Mark from a professional clinical perspective.  

Right up front, Cheryl sets boundaries by telling Mark there will only be six sessions and that the objective is for her client to be able to sustain sexual activity in a normal relationship.  

It may seem a bit awkward, but Mark relies on his attendant Vera (Moon Bloodgood) to escort him to his “sessions” with Cheryl.  

What seems even more discomfiting is that Helen Hunt bares her entire body to fulfill her task. We’re talking full frontal nudity that you just don’t see in mainstream movies.

But Hunt handles her nudity with dignity and grace. There’s no real element of tawdry prurience in play. Hunt’s Cheryl is believable as the dedicated sex therapist.

When sex enters into any relationship, it is not easy to keep feelings at bay. A bond of comfort and compassion forms between Mark and Cheryl. A glimpse into Cheryl’s private life informs that the whole therapy business is, at best, tricky.

The movie belongs to John Hawkes, as much is asked of him to play a disabled character in a physically difficult and challenging role, even though he is an actor of remarkable versatility.

Filled with humor, drama and emotion, “The Sessions” is a brilliant film that is not only entertaining, but demands our attention to the inspiration of the indomitable spirit of Mark O’Brien.

“The Sessions” is a likely contender for Oscar consideration in several categories, and deservedly so.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

Just recently, this space was celebrating the trend of releasing on DVD classic TV series that are either long forgotten or unfamiliar to younger audiences.

Vintage detective series are usually a lot of fun. This is no less true for the iconic character of Peter Gunn (Craig Stevens), a handsome, suave detective tough enough to take on the hardest of hard cases.

Though some episodes of “Peter Gunn” have appeared on DVD in the past, now the complete collection of all 114 original episodes are being released as “Peter Gunn: The Complete Series.”

From his unofficial office at the smoke-filled jazz club “Mother’s,” private eye Gunn keeps an eye on the colorful cast of patrons, including his gorgeous girlfriend Edie Hart (Lola Albright).

Gunn’s girl is a singer at the jazz club, which draws musicians, pool hustlers, con artists and other characters, some unsavory.

Despite his stiff standard fee, Gunn’s reputation keeps the customers lined up for his services, some of them even referred by his police buddy Lt. Jacoby (Herschel Bernardi).

“Peter Gunn,” just like the classic TV series “Mr. Lucky,” was created by Blake Edwards, with the music scored by Henry Mancini.

The Emmy-nominated series ran on NBC from 1958 to 1961. Any fan of detective series and classic TV will want to own “Peter Gunn: The Complete Series.” 

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.