"Short Term 12" is just one of those movies. From the first frame and the story told as an introduction to its characters, you can tell its gonna be something special. It shows a perspective not often seen in any form of media, nevertheless a film. A story based on the experiences that the director faced whilst working in a group home himself, revolving around a personal connection our lead creates with one of the new arrivals while facing her own personal crises.
It's a touching movie, subdued in nature, the spotlight entirely focused on Brie Larson who would later go on to win big with "Room" in 2015. Her performance is damn near flawless and solidifies her as a force to be reckoned with, as if "Room" didn't already do that to most eyes watching. Brie Larson is not the only with an established connection however, a whole wealth of characters with their own traits and quirks do give it a great sense of believability. In particular, the child actors. They all embody their roles and although most are first-time actors, they all spin it perfectly. It allows the plot line with Jayden to flourish as her situation clicks with our lead and takes her back to her own troubled childhood, desperately attempting to create a better future for her perhaps to the detriment of her own.
In that, its seamless how the leaders' private lives intertwine with their work life, their work life eventually becoming their life as the lead [Grace] damages her relationship with her long-time boyfriend who has also had a troubled past. They're both there because of their own childhoods suffering and want it so others don't have to go through the same tribulations. The focus starts on life at the detainment center before their personal issues begin to trickle in as they both impact upon one another. The authenticity in the performances and specifics really does hit this dramatic element home where it otherwise wouldn't have. An example of its specifics would be a situation in regards to 'escapees', they're not forced to be there. Once they leave the property, they can't be touched. But they can be followed and potentially convinced to come back. Mileage may vary.
It's great to look at as well, a tall order given the setting in place, but each shot is a pretty one to witness. Even more impressive also given that a majority of them are handheld in order ease the first-timers into the production, which may be a negative for some, but in this scenario it does showcase a fluidity. To the point of which I didn't actually notice it until the more intense scenes arrived. The ending slow-motion shot is a joy to watch, and it will leave you tearing up as it pans away and the days carry on. The consequences are in place and it's believed to be all back to normal.
It's not the first feature from director [Destin Daniel] Cretton, with his first "I Am Not A Hipster" being how this film reached its funding. You can tell this is truly based from his experiences and it is a passion project for him, the same story being shown once before a short that's now grown its legs. It's a subject that's never been tackled in this manner before and that's what intrigues, but it keeps you sticking around for its rock solid characters and a straight-up heartbreaking tale.
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