For our second film of the festival, we went a bit lighter with Canadian film Guidance. Written, directed, and starring Pat Mills, who got his start on You Can’t Do That on Television. A former child actor (an alter ego of Mills’) gets a job as a high school counselor, dishonestly, but with an honest desire to help kids. I was reluctant to like this film since it is the type of film I’m supposed to like. Indie, funny, irreverent, etc. I couldn’t help myself though. What could have been an 81 minute cliche was actually a charming and imaginative story of connection. It had a bit of a “homemade” feel to it, but the lack of slick production should not be a deterrent.

Guidance‘s Bechdel rating: PASS. But just barely. Though they don’t have a lot of screen time together, two female students talk about skipping class, and maybe some other stuff.

P. S. I just realized that my “lighter” comment could also be used to describe the overall skin tone of Guidance vs. The Connection. Ironic, for reasons I will make you watch this film to find out.