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Life Guidance is a 2017 German film directed by Ruth Mader, starring Fritz Karl, Katharina Lorenz, and Florian Teichtmeister. The film follows the story of three people living in a futuristic society where individuals are constantly monitored and advised by life coaches. The premise is set in a dystopian world where people's lives are governed by a system called "The Counsel." Each individual is assigned a life coach who monitors every aspect of their life, guiding them on how to behave, what to eat, what to wear, and even whom to date. The coaches rely on algorithms and data analysis to make decisions and determine what's best for each individual. The Counsel system is considered an ideal solution to eliminate chaos and make people's lives simpler and more efficient.

The protagonist of the movie is Alexander 'Xandi' Miller (Fritz Karl), a coach who has been assigned to help Anna (Katharina Lorenz), a young woman struggling to find direction in her life. Anna is a part-time actress who works as a caterer to make ends meet. She's fed up with her job, her love life, and the whole idea of being told what to do. Xandi decides to take a different approach to coaching and tries to help Anna be more resilient and independent. He encourages her to question The Counsel's rules and to think for herself.

In parallel, the film also follows the story of Xandi's wife, Sarah (Doris Schretzmayer), who's a coach herself. She's seeing a patient named Daniel (Florian Teichtmeister), who's struggling with anxiety and depression. Daniel is a former environmental activist who has grown disillusioned with life and The Counsel system. Sarah tries to help him cope with his issues and encourages him to seek treatment, but Daniel refuses to take medication prescribed by The Counsel.

As the story progresses, the characters' lives intertwine, and the audience begins to see the flaws in The Counsel system. The film explores themes like free will, individuality, and the danger of relying too much on technology. It raises questions about whether a perfect society is worth sacrificing personal freedom and if algorithms can truly understand human emotions.

The film's cinematography is impressive, showing a clean and sterile world with minimalist architecture and futuristic technology. The color palette is understated, adding to the impression of a soulless world. The acting is top-notch, with convincing performances from all three leads. Fritz Karl shines as the protagonist, bringing a depth and complexity to the character that gives substance to the film. Katharina Lorenz also delivers an excellent performance as the conflicted Anna, portraying a range of emotions with authenticity and nuance.

The film's pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the characters' environments and emotions, but some viewers may find it too slow-moving. The plot is intriguing and delivers enough twists and turns to keep the audience engaged. The ending is satisfying and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Life Guidance is a well-crafted film that offers a compelling take on a dystopian society while addressing universal issues that affect all people. It features strong performances, impressive cinematography, and a plot that raises important questions for viewers to ponder. Anyone who enjoys thought-provoking films with political or social commentary will find this movie worth watching.

Life Guidance is a 2018 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.