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Guidance (Canada)

By Golu
A classic example of how to live in continuos denial and self-appraisal; this film shows us that sometimes we can be our own worst enemies. Thankfully this film takes a dark-comedy route to tell this to us rather than being over dramatic. Also, it is worth pointing out that besides the lead character being closeted gay, there is nothing else gay themed about this film.

We meet David, a former child star who obsessively watches reruns of his hit television-show. He is drunk and has alcohol problems and is also flamboyantly gay. Although he is in denial about all these things including the fact he is gay, which no single person around him believes. When he is diagnosed with skin cancer, he is in denial of that as well. When he is on the verge of getting evicted from his apartment, he decides he wants to “help teenagers”, and studies for a high-school guidance counselor position as he would for a role.As luck would have it, he gets the job on temporary basis. Surprisingly, he becomes popular with a few kids, because he is ok drinking with them, having weed with them and having a ‘I don’t give a fuck” attitude. He is propositioned by the gym teacher but David is in denial of being gay, so doesn’t do anything about it as well. He specially takes a liking for Jabrielle, a guarded black student, who has her own problems at home. Soon David’s reality comes out and he is evicted from home. Around the same time Jabrielle also has had enough and runs away. The two of them steal a car and  lot of money from tanning saloons. But better sense prevails when David finally decides that Jabrielle deserves a better family life and that he should probably surrender to the cops.

I am not entirely sure of I liked the film or not, but I am quite sure I enjoyed the lead actor’s performance; who I believe is also the writer and director of the film. Its interesting how he lives in denial , which is summed up in a sentence when he says "I exist in the space between caring too much and not giving a fuck”. I wonder if one of the dead behind making this film was also to show the harsh realities of some of the child actors who get lost in oblivion when they grow up. Maybe!! The fellow teachers of the school were quite funny and some of the students that he helps get over with their awkwardness was also interesting. But overall the film failed to keep me entertained throughout. Something was missing. I am sure given the small scale, independent nature of the film, it will recover its cost.

Its not a bad film but nothing great to talk about either. It surely won’t disappoint you. (5.5/10)
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