Short Term 12 (2013)

I wanted to but couldn't!

Admirable film.

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The reviews got me, I got played. Sure, it shows how a Foster-Care Facility functions which could've been concluded in 5 minutes. The rest of it was absolute trash, No character development, No Plot or Drama just a bunch of overly zoomed-in shots on Poker faces and needless dialogues to fill in between. Sorry I can't sympathize with characters if I don't know how they feel. There are many movies that do better job depicting a disturbed childhood. What a disappointment.

Writer Director Destin Daniel Cretton created this full length feature from his Oscar nominated short by the same name. It is based on his own experiences of working with teenagers.Grace (Brie Larsen) plays the protagonist, the young supervisor of a group facility with young troubled teenagers. She with her boyfriend Mason (John Gallagher Jr) focus their attention on short-tempered talented rapper kid Marcus (Lakeith Stanfield). Grace builds an intimate bond with a new inmate Jayden (Katlyen Daver) to make her feel comfortable in the new home with other kids. In the process Grace learns about Jayden's abusive past through her metaphorical story of octopus and shark. The movie presents every day challenges of working at such facilities where abuse, emotional trauma, fights, self-harm, depression, fights etc. are common. A love story between Grace and Mason, both with a past of troubled kids themselves, is built in as a sub-plot.The director Daniel handles the subject with confidence, expertise, a keen-eye to detail, psychology and tenderness. Even though the movie is heart-breaking at places Daniel does not burden the screenplay with depressing heaviness and gives a heart-warming light feel throughout the movie.It is a short movie with 96 minutes running time and it is worth watching and one immediately connects with the main characters of the movie.The main led - Brie and John - were auditioned by Daniel via skype after sending them scripts via emails. The shooting of the movie took place only in 20 days with free flowing acts with main characters improvising on the dialogue and actions on their own. The movie is widely acclaimed and have won 35 awards and 70 nominations. Those who are working with NGO / NPO with less privileged people will definitely identify with the movie.I am going with 7.75 out of 10 for the movie

This low key movie really does a great job of portraying the hardships and struggles of homeless/neglected youth and the people that try to help make a positive difference in their lives. This is a character driven film that really lets you get a glimpse into a subject that is not often portrayed in the media. My wife had previously volunteered at a type of shelter for homeless youth and this film definitely struck a cord with her and her experiences. Overall, this was a very affecting film with moments of sadness and joy. I highly recommend this movie.9/10...but that's just like, my opinion, man# Of Times Watched: Once

Every once in awhile, a film comes completely out of nowhere and utterly surprises me. This was exactly the case with "Short Term 12". It took a family member to recommended it to me...and even he only knew of it via film school! I'm glad I checked it out, though, as it held me in tow for the duration.For a basic plot summary, this film focuses on a "holding tank" for young people who are awaiting court judgments. In other words, the next step before either juvenile detention or foster care. Grace (Brie Larson) and Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) are the most experienced staff leaders, and they also happen to be in a relationship with each other. As the viewer learns more about the facility, residents such as Marcus (Keith Stanfield), Luis (Kevin Hernandez), Sammy (Alex Calloway), and Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) are introduced, including an insider look at why each of them are at the facility.This is a movie about people and issues...plain and simple. Right from the opening scene, director Destin Daniel Cretton knows how to seamlessly begin weaving a complex drama, one which only strengthens as the characters are introduced. Basically, the strength of the film is that each character feels so "real". Nothing seems overly dramatic or "made up". Facilities like this exist, people like this exist, and "Short Term 12" tries its best to show the reality of the situation through a number of different possible scenarios.This movie is also quite a small production. It doesn't need a big-name director, crazy CGI, or a star-studded cast to succeed. It just relies on the "old school" qualities of a solid script, great acting from everyone, and a diverse range of characters that will give "something to everyone".Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give "Short Term 12"? I'm not just "being nice" to it because it is an independent film. It is more just the opposite...I'm marveling at how such a low- key movie can rank right up there among my favorites. Kind of a sad statement to make regarding the movie-producing business, which is so caught up right now in sequels and "get 'em in the theater" flicks. "Short Term 12" proves, however, that nothing over-the-top is needed to make a great film.