Brie Larson
John Gallagher, Jr.
Kaitlyn Dever
Rami Malek
Keith Stanfield

Destin Daniel Cretton

96 mins.
Drama
August 23, 2013

Rated R for language and brief sexuality. (MPAA)

“Short Term 12” is such a well-thought-out, well-executed film. From the beginning, I could tell that there was something special here. Every major character had a well-established identity that wasn’t forced in any way. The acting was superb without being showy (not that I mind showy in the correct circumstances). And the writer-director, Destin Daniel Cretton, knew just how far he could take his material and how to support all of the more extreme moments.

This film is based on a short by the same writer-director, and all of the time that he must have spent with this material really shows. During the middle of this film, I was afraid that it would lose some of its magic and veer off into shakier territory. But by the end, all of it made sense and led to a deeper yet still slightly airy resolution. Instead of beating you over the head with heavy moments à la “Girl, Interrupted,” this film takes a gentler approach even in its darker moments. The ending definitely sealed the deal, but not in an “aha” sort of way. It essentially brings the viewer back to a moment similar to the one that starts the film, but you can feel the change in the characters without them indicating a change. (In the beginning, they use the device of a new employee being introduced to the facility’s idiosyncrasies as a way to invite the viewer into its world. The device works here, because, just as with everything else in this film, it’s not overdone.)

The subject matter is tough: the vicissitudes of life at a “short-term” group foster home for at-risk youth. I think that the kids are supposed to stay there for no more than a year, hence the title.

Multi-talented performer Brie Larson has the leading role of Grace, one of the supervisors at the home who knows a thing or two about what these kids are going through. She’s completely believable as a young woman who’s gone through abuse from her father and is still struggling to cope with that as an adult. She can be sharp and fragile, loving and removed; and she empathizes with the kids, leading to questionable behavior on more than one occasion. It’s a beautifully textured and unfussy performance. John Gallagher Jr. is excellent as her understanding boyfriend/fiancé who also works at the home. They have a great, lived-in chemistry as an onscreen couple.

Keith Stanfield and Kaitlyn Dever bring authenticity and surprising depth to their roles as two of the home’s charges. Many have noted the rap from Stanfield and the kids’ story from Dever as two of the film’s highlights. The rest of the supporting cast is just as good in roles that could have been easily overlooked.

“Short Term 12” is sensitive and unflinching at the same time, even with its sunny yet not cloying ending – an ending that I enjoyed because it was earned. I look forward to seeing what Cretton does next. This is a perfect example of great indie filmmaking.

Verdict: Great

About: (Source: DVD Description at amazon)

SHORT TERM 12 is told through the eyes of Grace (Brie Larson, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 21 Jump Street), a twenty-something supervisor at a group home for troubled teens. She’s passionate, tough and in love with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason (John Gallagher Jr., The Newsroom). But Grace’s difficult past, her fierce independence and the arrival of a distraught new girl at the facility create complications that push Grace and Mason to the brink. In this unique love story the couple comes to embrace a surprising future together, discovering truth and humor in unexpected places.