REVIEW: Short Term 12

Courtesy of Cinedigm

This week, I want to spend some time raving about a fantastic new indie film called Short Term 12. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming and emotionally devastating piece of work that’s practically guaranteed a spot on my 10 Best List in December. I urge you to see as soon as possible. There’s just one problem: it’s currently playing in a single Atlanta theater.

So why the heck am I writing about it on a blog read primarily by people who don't live anywhere near Midtown Art? (Hopefully the answer doesn’t come off as snobby – that’s certainly not my intention. But here goes…) Part of my job as a critic is to let readers know about quality films that might not be on their radars, especially if it’s a tiny flick that doesn’t have the budget to air a trailer during their favorite television show.

The films that play locally are generally mainstream fare, with famous actors like Tom Cruise or Sandra Bullock. Those flicks need absolutely zero help getting seen – the general public knows when they open. In fact, I’ve stood behind people in line who don’t even know the name of the movie they’re seeing. They just say “two for Will Smith” when they get to the ticket window.

When I get a chance to talk with readers (which always makes my day, and I promise I’m not sucking up), the vast majority tell me they enjoy watching films, but they can’t remember their last trip to a theater. Instead, they catch up with stuff on Netflix, Redbox or On Demand, and not just the giant blockbusters. Rental services have opened up the entire world of cinema to everyone, not just people who live in cities with art house theaters.

That’s where Short Term 12 comes in. Unless the drama is a word-of-mouth phenomenon, there’s no chance it ever reaches towns like Carrollton. But it’s one of the rare films worth driving to Atlanta for. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Still, I’m not an idiot. I realize the majority of readers probably think it’s insane to travel that far to see a movie. For them, hopefully this review implants the film in their brains so they’ll check it out when it’s closer and cheaper.

Short Term 12 is told through the eyes of Grace (Brie Larson), one of several 20-something supervisors at a group home for at-risk teens. She’s dedicated to her job, loves her kids and is fiercely protective of them. However, the dark nature of the work, her own difficult childhood and a startling new development in her personal life begin to chip away at her psyche.

She falls into a confusing and frustrating state of mind, despite the valiant efforts of Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), her boyfriend and co-worker, to lift her spirits. Her condition intensifies with the arrival of a new resident at Short Term 12, a troubled young girl named Jaden (Kaitlyn Dever) whose current troubles hit way too close to home for Grace.

It’s a brutal story, but also a genuine one that finds humor and heart in unexpected places. Audiences are introduced to engaging, compelling characters who behave in a completely realistic, non-movie fashion. It’s a small tale in Hollywood terms, but a major one to the characters living through it. That’s what makes Short Term 12 so special.

Writer/director Destin Cretton doesn’t pretend this is a story with universe-altering stakes. Instead, he crafts the narrative on an intimate level. His characters know their work is vital, placing them in life-or-death situations on a tragically frequent basis, but they also recognize how invisible they are to society at large.

The story is anchored by numerous brilliant performances, Larson’s most of all. She was great in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 21 Jump Street and The Spectacular Now, those roles didn’t prepare me for the powerhouse she turns out to be here. She presents Grace as someone who is keeping it together through sheer force of will, but the world is chipping away at her resolve one day at a time. The drama lies in whether she chooses to let it, or gather her strength yet again. It’s astonishing work.

Gallagher matches her force with meticulously calculated charm. As Mason, he portrays someone who has experienced the worst life has to offer and knows that a hopeful attitude and a little gallows humor are often all that keep someone from slipping over the edge. To an outsider, it might seem like he doesn’t take his job seriously because he jokes around so much. In fact, the exact opposite is true: he keeps things light precisely because the work is so vital.

As the most prominent residents of Short Term 12, Dever, Keith Stanfield and Alex Calloway are wonderful and heartbreaking. Each of these characters has been emotionally demolished, but they find different methods to cope with the world. That shines through in their devastating performances.

Also worth mentioning is Rami Malek, who plays the newest supervisor and serves as the audience’s entrance into this distressing, but ultimately rewarding, world. Cretton uses him perfectly; too little and he has no reason to be there, too much and it’s no longer Grace’s story. He’s not in the film a lot, but he makes a big impact every time he shows up.

I realize my review makes the film sound like a depressing slog, but Cretton’s insightful choices and the fantastic actors keep the proceedings from plunging into hopelessness. Yes, tears frequently streamed down my face as I watched the movie. But I was surprised at how many of them were induced by laughter. “Short Term 12” cracks viewers up just as much as it breaks their hearts. Please, please, please see this movie.

Short Term 12 is rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Grade: A