Review of Short Term 12 (2013) by Kenneth L — 14 Mar 2015

This is a great example of the modern American independent film at its best: telling straightforward, emotionally affecting stories about the sorts of people big studio movies would never think to make a movie about. It doesn't have any major stars (though Brie Larson seems on her way to becoming one) or anything technically remarkable about it, but it's got everything it needs to be powerfully moving.

The story follows Grace (Larson), a young woman who works at a short-term care home for at-risk teenagers. She's a humble and compassionate presence to her young charges, but we slowly learn that she's got some serious damage of her own. In following her story, the movie also provides significant glimpses into the life of her boyfriend, who also works at the home, and several of the kids she takes care of. There are other movies out there in which a teacher or social worker tries to help troubled youths (the gratingly fake Half Nelson and the overblown and ridiculous Precious come to mind), but few if any of them feel as honest and real as this one. There isn't that much more than that to say, really. This is a great movie in a very simple and straightforward way. It's genuinely compassionate for its characters' problems and doesn't provide easy or fake solutions. And the excellent closing scene illustrates very clearly how life just goes on. I strongly recommend it.