← Back to Reviews
in
Short Term 12 -
I've always loved Roger Ebert's description of movies as "empathy machines." If you are not sure what that means, this is as good a place as any to start. It's just the kind of movie someone needed to make about foster programs, and in turn, trauma recovery. It's easy to see why this movie gave a boost to Brie Larson's career. In a performance that will make you question the Academy's rules, she totally convinces as someone whose wounds have reopened and who is struggling to keep their personal and professional lives intact as a result. While she and most of the cast had careers already, it's not hard to think of this movie as an incubator of sorts for how many other current household names leave an impression. Highlights are Kaitilin Dever's heartbreaking turn as Jayden, the new resident who set Larson's Grace on her dark path and LaKeith Stanfield as Marcus, who is arguably the most troubled resident. As for Rami Malek's new employee, he is mostly in the margins, but he has a vital role as an audience surrogate who like many of us wants to help but has no idea what he has signed up for. Luckily - and reassuringly - not every moment spent at Short Term 12 is miserable, and when the tone shifts between light-hearted and serious, it is never jarring. If it's not Mason's (Gallagher) stories, it's Sammy's (Calloway) ill-fated attempts at escaping that best provide the much-needed relief.
As the moments with Grace, Jayden and Marcus that are not for the squeamish indicate, the impulse to self-harm after trauma occurs is strong and the act does provide relief. This movie reminds us that the relief is not only temporary, but also that building instead of destroying is the better option, especially since destruction was involved in the first place. My only major complaint about this movie is that I wish it were more about the young people. In other words, I got to know Grace's entire story, and even though I left satisfied with Marcus and Jayden's arcs, I wish I got to know them just as well. Other than that, this is as a must-see for anyone, but especially to anyone who is or has ever been in charge of someone else's well-being.
I've always loved Roger Ebert's description of movies as "empathy machines." If you are not sure what that means, this is as good a place as any to start. It's just the kind of movie someone needed to make about foster programs, and in turn, trauma recovery. It's easy to see why this movie gave a boost to Brie Larson's career. In a performance that will make you question the Academy's rules, she totally convinces as someone whose wounds have reopened and who is struggling to keep their personal and professional lives intact as a result. While she and most of the cast had careers already, it's not hard to think of this movie as an incubator of sorts for how many other current household names leave an impression. Highlights are Kaitilin Dever's heartbreaking turn as Jayden, the new resident who set Larson's Grace on her dark path and LaKeith Stanfield as Marcus, who is arguably the most troubled resident. As for Rami Malek's new employee, he is mostly in the margins, but he has a vital role as an audience surrogate who like many of us wants to help but has no idea what he has signed up for. Luckily - and reassuringly - not every moment spent at Short Term 12 is miserable, and when the tone shifts between light-hearted and serious, it is never jarring. If it's not Mason's (Gallagher) stories, it's Sammy's (Calloway) ill-fated attempts at escaping that best provide the much-needed relief.
As the moments with Grace, Jayden and Marcus that are not for the squeamish indicate, the impulse to self-harm after trauma occurs is strong and the act does provide relief. This movie reminds us that the relief is not only temporary, but also that building instead of destroying is the better option, especially since destruction was involved in the first place. My only major complaint about this movie is that I wish it were more about the young people. In other words, I got to know Grace's entire story, and even though I left satisfied with Marcus and Jayden's arcs, I wish I got to know them just as well. Other than that, this is as a must-see for anyone, but especially to anyone who is or has ever been in charge of someone else's well-being.