This is a superbly acted movie that deals with sexual activity when one is disabled. The story is about Mark O'Brien (a 'real' person; he wrote an article about having sex for the first time and this movie is based on that.) acted wondrously by John Hawkes. Hawkes does equally well playing a totally paralyzed polio victim as he does in this movie or a creepy and sinister cult leader or a redneck mountain man.
Mark has full sensation but can't move any muscles below his neck; he lives in an iron lung except for up to 3-4 hours of time outside with a portable respirator. Since he contracted polio when he was a young boy he's never had sex and figures that at age 38 when he's close to his "use by" date; he better forge ahead.
Mark is totally likeable and gentle and charming and engaging and smart and witty and self-deprecating. He hires a sex therapist to help him have intercourse. There is a lot in this movie just generally about how to have sex and enjoyment and orgasms when you're disabled. and the sex itself is handled in a straightforward and graphic way (scenes plus language) but also an unerotic way. Helen Hunt is the therapist and she is absolutely great.
Mark all through the film talks to a priest (he was brought up catholic so it bothers him that he has these desires since he was brought up to believe they are sinful and he'd go to hell). the priest is played by William Macy who initially acts Roman Catholic - like but then becomes a cigarette smoking and beer drinking and bandanna wearing liberal confidante. This portrayal is a movie fantasy one in my experience. But what is good about the use of Mark telling him about what is going on, is that we get to know that without the voice-overs which i find annoying.
I've never seen a movie like this and just felt uplifted at the end and sad too. Highly recommended; its out on video. We rated it a 10.
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