Ben Lewin?s The Sessions (formerly The Surrogate) emerged as the undisputed hit of Sundance 2012, landing a $6 million sale with the unlikeliest of subjects: A paralyzed man?s quest to lose his virginity, based on the life and writings of Bay Area poet Mark O?Brien.
Thanks to Lewin?s sensitive and honest script and an impressive turn by indie favorite John Hawkes -- who shines with wit and grace in a physically demanding performance as O?Brien, who has no use of his limbs due to polio but begins to explore his sexuality with the help of a hands-on sex therapist (Helen Hunt) ? The Sessions earned consecutive standing ovations and got critics buzzing with the possibilities for next year?s Academy Awards.
Movieline sat down with Hawkes after the film's Sundance debut to discuss the indie labor of love, why O?Brien?s story resonates so powerfully, and how opportunities have expanded for him since breaking out two years ago in Park City with his Oscar-nominated turn in Winter?s Bone.
I grew up close to Berkeley and was a little familiar with Mark O?Brien before seeing the film, but it captured that sense of place for me ? especially with little touches like Pink Man to set the atmosphere.
Yes, of course! That?s good, because we shot in Los Angeles because we couldn?t afford to shoot up there. We had to make our own Pink Man and everything. [Laughs] Luckily there are a couple of Victorian streets in Los Angeles that we were able to utilize.
How familiar were you with O?Brien?s story beforehand?
I was minutely aware of Mark because I had heard of Jessica Yu?s amazing, Academy Award-winning short doc about Mark, called Breathing Lessons. I?d just vaguely kind of remembered that, and I…
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