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Short Term 12 is an emphatic, revealing drama that pulls audiences into the perspective of neglected youths.
All Critics (164) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (161) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)
Set in a foster-care facility outside of San Francisco, this independent drama is vivid and heartfelt in its depiction of social work, at times recalling some of Frederick Wiseman's great documentary portraits. Dec 10, 2013 | Full Review…
Set in a foster-care facility outside of San Francisco, this independent drama is vivid and heartfelt in its depiction of social work, at times recalling some of Frederick Wiseman's great documentary portraits.
Ben Sachs
The film's climax feels a little rushed and overwrought, but the movie's real resonance is its exploration of empathy and vocation. Nov 15, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
The film's climax feels a little rushed and overwrought, but the movie's real resonance is its exploration of empathy and vocation.
Liam Lacey
At times Short Term 12 seems uncertain where it's going, but this matches the circumstances of both staff and residents. Nov 14, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
At times Short Term 12 seems uncertain where it's going, but this matches the circumstances of both staff and residents.
Peter Howell
Well intentioned, but somehow inauthentic. Nov 1, 2013 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Well intentioned, but somehow inauthentic.
Peter Bradshaw
There's heart, soul and personality to burn in 'Short Term 12' ... But this is a film that, like many of its young characters, desperately needs to calm down. Oct 29, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
There's heart, soul and personality to burn in 'Short Term 12' ... But this is a film that, like many of its young characters, desperately needs to calm down.
Tom Huddleston
"Short Term 12" is a sly wonder of a film. It brings you into its unique world and then slowly reveals its characters, letting them unfold gradually, organically. Sep 20, 2013 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
"Short Term 12" is a sly wonder of a film. It brings you into its unique world and then slowly reveals its characters, letting them unfold gradually, organically.
Tom Long
Short Term 12 gets right for much of the film, what so many other films about human services get wrong. Mar 13, 2019 | Full Review…
Short Term 12 gets right for much of the film, what so many other films about human services get wrong.
Ren Jender
A funny, beautiful and wonderfully honest film built around an exceptional turn from Larson. Mar 5, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A funny, beautiful and wonderfully honest film built around an exceptional turn from Larson.
Ben Nicholson
I'm attracted to films that feel REAL, and Short Term 12 definitely definitely does. In no small part to the acting - the kids in this are nothing less than fantastic. Mar 2, 2019 | Full Review…
I'm attracted to films that feel REAL, and Short Term 12 definitely definitely does. In no small part to the acting - the kids in this are nothing less than fantastic.
Amie Simon
Has the viewer well and truly captured in its lonely, wretched basis. Feb 28, 2019 | Full Review…
Has the viewer well and truly captured in its lonely, wretched basis.
Naila Scargill
That sputtering noise you hear in the nobly intentioned, intermittently moving Short Term 12 is the sound of feminism backfiring as it meets screenplay formulas. Feb 12, 2018 | Full Review…
That sputtering noise you hear in the nobly intentioned, intermittently moving Short Term 12 is the sound of feminism backfiring as it meets screenplay formulas.
Steve Erickson
... a rare, unmissable gem; yes, it's a showcase for its stunning performers and necessary story, but it also pushes us to look at our own emotions, experiences, and relationships in the process ... Jan 31, 2018 | Full Review…
... a rare, unmissable gem; yes, it's a showcase for its stunning performers and necessary story, but it also pushes us to look at our own emotions, experiences, and relationships in the process ...
Jade Budowski
A delicate and complex character study that never romanticizes what it wants so say, being instead very down to earth in its approach to show us how an underprivileged childhood can create emotionally fractured adults whose uncured issues won't simply go away with time.
Super Reviewer
The foster care system is the most flawed institution in the United States, which is disheartening as many of the children in said system deal with abuse, loneliness, and mental health issues. "Short Term 12" comprises everyday goings on of a facility for kids who live between homes and the street, and the workers who help them. At the crux of the film is Grace (Larson) who leads the facility's workers and helps kids while also dealing with her own life. It's really quite sweet that Grace and her boyfriend Mason (Gallagher) have fragmented childhoods, and so they have to (rather than want to) help ease the pain of these children and the problems they face. In comparison is a college worker who would like to help, but doesn't know where to start. The performances from the child actors in this film are nothing short of astounding. Brie Larson commands complete presence onscreen, as Grace, a multi-faceted basket case who is always trying to do better, but inevitably has to fight her demons. This is a really sweet, funny, heartfelt film dealing with big issues in a sensitive and thoughtful way, which makes it highly recommendable.
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Usually I avoid "indies", if specifically promoted that way, but here the plot sounded interesting enough. Barring some of its cliches and forced drama, it was watchable enough, if not interesting enough. Once watchable. Once watchable. In all fairness, 2/5.
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