Watch Guidance

Guidance is a Canadian dramedy movie, directed by Pat Mills himself who also starred as the lead, David Gold. The film follows David, a former child actor who supposedly once starred in a popular TV show. However, his career has since slipped into obscurity and now David is struggling to keep up with his addiction and manage his expenses. Having no other options left, David becomes a high school guidance counselor, despite lacking the necessary qualifications and training to do so.

As a counselor, David is reluctant and uninterested in his duties, and instead, he uses his position to cope with his inner struggles. David is a man-child who cusses frequently, drinks heavily, and flirts with young girls, using inappropriate language. He is not fit to be a role model or authority for high school students, but he tries his best to gain sympathy and attention from his students.

Despite his flaws, David makes a connection with new student Jabrielle, played by Zahra Bentham, who is having a hard time finding her place in the school community. David becomes her confidante and helps her deal with her relationship with her parents, academics, and social circle. There are also a few other students he takes under his wing, like Clayton played by Kevin Hanchard, who he helps gain the confidence to follow his dreams. But David's life takes a turn for the worse, as his addiction spirals out of control and his secrets are exposed, causing chaos in the school.

The film deals with serious issues such as addiction, mental health, finding your place in the world and the struggles of adolescence, but at the same time it manages to maintain a lighthearted and comedic tone. Pat Mills' performance as David is nuanced, and through his acting, he manages to evoke empathy for David, despite his actions. Zahra Bentham's portrayal of Jabrielle is genuine and natural, and she completely sells the uncertainty and fragility of the high school experience. Kevin Hanchard's performance as Clayton is charming, and he brings an earnestness to the character that is endearing.

The movie is set in a dreary-looking high school, which gives it a realistic feel. Meanwhile, the soundtrack complements the movie effortlessly, with a mix of original music and well-chosen pop songs that enhance the tone of the scenes. The script is well-written, and the dialogues are witty and realistic.

Guidance premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has garnered acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The film was praised for its dark humor, and its ability to balance the serious themes with its comedic elements. It has been compared to other indie comedies such as Obvious Child, and The Way Way Back, and it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath.

Overall, Guidance is a brilliantly written and acted film that tackles issues relevant to both adolescents and adults in a fun, yet insightful way. It shows that even flawed individuals can make a positive impact on the people around them, and that no matter how lost you are, there is always a way to find yourself again.

Guidance is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 66.