Movie Review: "Guidance"

As a child of the '80s who grew up on classic Nickelodeon, I couldn't resist reviewing this dark comedy made by a former member of the cast. 

Pat Mills wrote/directed/starred in this film that tells the story of a former child star on the edge. Sick, broke, and facing other issues, David Gold decides to assume a new identity and applies for a job as a high school guidance counselor. The premise seems far-fetched, especially these days, but it still made for an extremely entertaining and, at times, touching story. 

Mills showed he learned a lot from his days on Nick, with plenty of twisted moments. One of the funniest for me came when David arrives for an interview and finds himself in a cussing match with another student while the lady at the desk goes to tell the principal he's arrived. The student tries to rat him out, but is of course, not believed. David slips back around the corner to point out that he told him F*** you, not F*** off. The look on the student's face was priceless. 

Throughout the movie he uses a lot of obviously wrong methods to try and get through to the kids, but they work. He relates to the kids on a level the other adults do not, which makes one think this character could've had a future there.

Watching this character's journey through his madness and seeing how it ends makes for a satisfying watch. I'm looking forward to seeing what else comes from this talented filmmaker. 

This movie is an Official Selection of the Toronto International Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Frameline Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival.