Life Guidance

Life Guidance is a 2017 Austrian science fiction film directed by Ruth Mader. The film stars Fritz Karl, Katharina Lorenz, and Florian Teichtmeister. It is a dystopic and cynical approach to the idea of a future utopia, beautifully visualized and backed with endearing performances.

The key character of the movie, Alexander Dworsky (Fritz Karl), is the epitome of a perfect citizen living a sterile life in the future society that has progressed to successfully eradicate all social ills. Dworsky is a dedicated husband to his wife, Anna (Katharina Lorenz), and a loving father to their daughter. He is a model employee and feels immense pride in his picture-perfect life, which raises him high on the social ladder.

Despite this perfect living scenario, Alexander starts feeling unfulfilled and develops discontent towards his pristine life. It is at this point that Life Guidance steps in. 'Life Guidance, ' an exclusive company is entrusted with the task of ensuring the citizen's continuous self-optimization. Every individual has a set "adviser" allocated to them to help them with any deviations from the projected paths of happiness and contentment, ensuring a fully controlled and trouble-free life.

The story begins with Alexander being introduced to his new "Life Guidance" motivator, Salomon Freund (Florian Teichtmeister), who shows up at his doorstep one day, assigned to assist Alexander in getting back on track towards happiness. The unexpected arrival of this Life Guidance representative changes the course of Alexander's life.

Life Guidance is ostensibly the embodiment of societal pressure and control, designed for maintaining the illusionary perfect society. The movie demonstrates the organization's role, representing an invisible power governing the people's lives and the consequences of eliminating individuality and humanism to achieve a perfect society.

Fritz Karl's portrayal of Alexander and his gradual realization of becoming a subject to this force is genuinely captivating. Katharina Lorenz complements Fritz Karl as Anna, Alexander's wife, who is gradually seen to be more compliant and accepting of the idea of Life Guidance.

Furthermore, Florian Teichtmeister has brilliantly brought forward the character of Salomon Freund. His portrayal of this quirky representative of Life Guidance is strongly impactful. He guides the protagonist toward a path to conformity using methods that begin to border on the bizarre and disturbing. Teichtmeister's dignified, polished yet unsettling presence offers intrigue and tension in every frame he is in.

Director Ruth Mader successfully builds the dystopian vision while maintaining an intelligent balance between the darker aspects of societal control and personal freedom. The story takes us through magnificent and oppressive architectural landscapes, a common element in many dystopian portrayals. Mader's elegant direction combines with the intellectual script, disturbingly sterile visuals, and a taut narrative that keeps viewers invested in Alexander's journey.

The use of color in the film needs a special mention. Predominant shades of white, grey, and blue paint the canvas of this dystopian setting. The choice of cool colors adds to the clinical, almost sterile atmosphere, further enhancing the film's themes.

Life Guidance is a thought-provoking exploration of one potential future that stirs philosophical debate and reflections on contemporary society. It highlights the fine line between societal optimization and individual liberty. The idea isn’t to create a horror of future but to question the cost at which it is achieved.

The film subverts the stereotypical viewpoint of utopian societies, rendering a portrait of a future society that might appear perfect but at the cost of individuality and human imperfection. It asks the audience to consider whether happiness can ever be achieved by eliminating individual autonomy and choice.

Essentially, Life Guidance is a darkly humorous, subtly horror-laced meditation on the stifling nature of societal control that will stick with you long after the credits roll. It's a perfectly executed display of drama, humanity, and thought-provoking social commentary, making it a must-watch for any fan of the genre.