Short Term 12 (2013)

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.

My words cannot describe how good this film is. However, I'll try. When it comes to film as an art form, escapism is thought of. The quality of Short Term 12 does make us involved to a point of escapism yet we cannot evade how real the piece is. The screenplay, the acting, the cinematography, direction, editing etc. make us observe such issues realistically. Issues that we may be aware of but not on such a personal level. Cretton was inspired to write Short Term 12 based on his own experience of working in a group facility for teenagers. This, in line with the superb performances on and off screen, gave the film a realness that is rare. Many directors don't write the films that they direct. Many that do create a fictional premise. With ST12, Cretton uses first hand experience and it translates impeccably. His writing is excellent, and evokes a platform for the actors. The acting is spectacular. It's not a film that announces at any point that it's based on real life/true events. It doesn't need the audience to consider this because of its rawness.

I'm going to keep this one nice and short. While I notice and applaud this film for the story it tells, I just didn't find it all that interesting. Many will probably disagree with me on this, but I simply could not stay engaged throughout this movie. I will say that the cinematic style and acting in this film are top notch. The ambience of this film is spot on for the content; ultimately, I was very impressed with the way this film was shot. The overall "feel" of this movie is anchored in realism; the shaky camera shots and lack of filters do a great job setting the tone for the bleak environment these characters live in. I applaud the director for portraying this world in a believable fashion. I will also say that the acting in "Short Term 12" is impressive overall. With memorable performances from Brie Larson and John Gallagher Jr, the entire film feels very authentic in it's own right. The supporting cast does a fine job as well; Rami Malek contributes a solid performance as the new guy at the facility and helps set the tone with the rest of the cast.When it comes down to it, I just didn't find the story in "Short Term 12" very engaging. This is just my humble opinion and should not sway others from seeing this film, but I thought the script left much to be desired. In the midst of all the great acting and ambience, the story and script is ultimately what brings this movie down from greatness. While I did not enjoy the story (I fell asleep 3 times) I must give credit where credit is due. The acting, directing, and cinematography in "Short Term 12" are all top notch, delivering what I felt was an authentic experience despite my criticisms of the plot. Definitely check this one out as it may be one that resonates with you more than it did with me.

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