"Short Term 12"

 2013 * R * 1h 36m  I first saw this film shortly after it was released and I was blown away. I recently re-watched it and it had the same effect on me. Not only is it one of the finest indie flicks I’ve ever seen, the cast of relatively unknown actors (at the time) was equally impressive. It’s sort of like “The Breakfast Club” or “Diner” where a director assembles a group of young unknowns who eventually have meteoric careers shortly after. Here we have Brie Larson (“Room,” “Captain Marvel”) in her first starring role, John Gallagher Jr. (“Hush”), Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Booksmart”) and Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) to name just a few. 

 

“Short Term 12” is the second feature-length film for writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton, and it’s based on his experiences as a counselor at a foster home for at risk teens. He originally released a short film with the same title in 2009. It received so much praise, he decided to make a full-length movie on the same subject. The film was made on a paltry budget of $600,000 and was filmed in just six weeks. It’s won numerous and well-deserved awards and should be better known.

 

The film opens with several counselors standing around welcoming the new hire Nate (Malek) to the group. Mason (Gallagher) is retelling an amusing story the rest of the gang has heard a million times before. Then suddenly, one of the kids in their care bursts out of the facility and makes a mad dash for the front gate. They’re immediately in hot pursuit and when they nab him, they all work together to calm him down. We find out that the policy is, if a kid makes it past the gate, the counselors aren’t allowed to touch them. 

 

Most of the film revolves around Brie Larson’s character Grace. She’s a very complex person. On the one hand, she’s a competent, disciplinarian who the teens look up to. She’s also a sensitive, vulnerable soul who we eventually learn has had to deal with her own personal demons. She and Mason are romantically involved and are both products of foster homes themselves. This gives them a deeper insight into what the kids in their charge are going through. I thought Ms. Larson’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking. You never feel like she’s acting—all this could have really happened to her. 

 

Contributing to the slice-of-life tone of the film is the camerawork. A fair amount of the movie is shot with a hand-held camera and while this can often can be irritating, here it draws the viewer in and makes you feel like you’re one of the gang. It has an intimate, almost conspiratorial vibe to it. The beautiful soundtrack also adds to the emotional aspect of the movie. It’s never front and center, but has a subtle, quietly understated quality to it. It’s often a bit sorrowful. 

 

I felt a couple scenes in “Short Term 12” were really pivotal to the story. They both involve one-on-one interactions between a counselor and a teen. In the first, Mason sits down with Marcus (LaKeith Stanfield) in his room. He’s soon to be released from the facility and is a brooding, angry kid. Mason plays percussion accompanying Marcus as he recites a very personal rap tune that reveals his deepest feelings about his relationship with the world at large. 

 

In another similar scene, Grace tries to get a new kid Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) to open up. She’s a smart but aloof teen who’s convinced she’ll only be at the facility for a short spell until her dad comes to get her. Grace convinces her to read a short, children’s story she’s written where it becomes apparent her father has abused her. This is something the two have in common as it’s revealed further on in the film. 

 

“Short Term 12” is a powerful, heartfelt drama. It deals with some pretty heady subjects, and you can’t help but feel for just about every character in the film. While it’s a fairly serious film overall, it’s not depressing. And there are plenty of humorous moments to keep the mood on the lighter side. When it was over I thought to myself, “That’s it? I wish I could spend a bit more time with these folks!”

5 out of 5 stars

 

Note to parents: The film is rated “R” mainly because of strong language and the subject matter.

 

You have a ton of viewing options. Currently streaming for free on Hoopla and Kanopy (with your library card), Freevee and Tubi. Also on The Roku Channel, Plex, Pluto TV, Peacock and other services.