Social Guidance (2005) User Reviews (4)

Worth seeing...

[grottofilms · 7/10 · 24 July 2005]

I saw this film at the Reelheart film festival in Toronto in late June, and it was very funny. It's a light-hearted film which revolves around a group of social guidance filmmakers who have lost their touch. Add a mysterious loner, a desperate situation, and a few subtle jabs at Hollywood and you have a fun but predictable story. Like many big studio pictures, you know how it's going to end. Luckily, the journey is fun, with some surprising and witty moments. It's interesting how it pokes fun at how out-of-touch filmmakers can be with their audience. If you're a filmmaker or you just love Troy McClure, you'll like this movie.

The direction is well paced, I don't remember being bored at anytime during the film. Production values are good, with a fifties' dinerish style of production design and solid cinematography throughout. The acting doesn't go over the top with the comedy except maybe Ted Gregory as the villain. Good script, unexplored territory in some ways.

Trapped at a festival full of depressing documentaries about dying children and missing loved ones, this movie was quite refreshing. Go see it if you have a chance.

Formosa succeeds where many Hollywood comedies do not--it's entertaining.

Unique & refreshing subject matter

[djrlw · 7/10 · 8 October 2005]

Being a film buff, it was suggested to me by another young and very talented writer, director & actor Dave Campfield (see "Under Surveillance") to give this film a try.

I found this movie to be a very pleasant piece with unique subject matter, the plight of a washed-up social guidance filmmaker who partners up with a young mysterious loner. Although I was disappointed in the typical Hollywood ending, I thoroughly enjoyed Steven Gilborn's acting, which brought class and professionalism to this story. Though this movie was listed under the comedy genre, I would categorize it as a light-hearted drama with some humorous moments. The direction of this film is quite good although a bit slow at times. This could possibly be intended by the director in order to stay with the retro, late 50's – early 60's feel. The cinematography and the film as a whole has a polished feel to it for a low budget movie.

The writers and director of this film have great potential and I would look forward to their next project. I would suggest that they follow up with something offering a little more edge and get away from the Hollywood ending, but for now if you get the opportunity to see this one it is worth a look.

Lots of fun with some sparkle

[BJ_Ahlen · 8/10 · 7 June 2006]

Saw this at a busy film festival in Santa Monica. I was working that day, and could only cut loose for one film, this was the one I was most curious about.

I thought it was a charming period piece where people looked like they were having fun. It was well paced and had a nicely directed story.

Good cinematography. The only visual that bothered me was a CGI rendered Greyhound terminal that didn't look quite right (but my wife didn't see this, I'm hampered by working with it... :O).

Recommended for a good time, and perhaps getting a couple of things to think about too.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Noah Kadner will come up with next, he seems to be on a roll.

Good Try, almost.

[shelly-93 · 2/10 · 27 October 2005]

I suppose a lot worse could have been done with this weak director and shabby plot.

As it stands it will pick up an award here and there on the festival circuit but it'll never see the light of day other wise.

If I had not been there to see other, more worthy films, I would never have gone into this one.

Sorry to say it but this one was completely miss-able.

The ending was the worst disappointment.

In future these sorts of subjects and thin scripts should be kept under ten minutes or risk the audience's yawns and early departures that this one received.