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Short Term 12

2013 • 96 minutes
4.5
606 reviews
98%
Tomatometer
Eligible
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About this movie

Short Term 12 is told through the eyes of Grace (Brie Larson, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, United States of Tara), a twenty-something supervisor at a foster care facility for at-risk teenagers. Passionate and tough, Grace is a formidable caretaker - and in love with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason (John Gallagher Jr., The Newsroom). But Grace's own difficult past, and the surprising future that suddenly presents itself, throw her into unforeseen confusion. This is made even sharper by the arrival of a new intake at the facility, a gifted but troubled teenage girl with whom Grace has a charged connection. While the subject matter is complex, this lovingly realized film finds truth and humor in unexpected places.

Ratings and reviews

4.5
606 reviews
Me_TJ_&_MrB
December 9, 2014
Other than that, it not always so smooth sailing in such homes. The storyline was ok, but too many parts seemed just thrown in to fill up time. This could have been made into a 30min movie and done better. The acting wasn't bad, but it seemed more like a school play than a real movie. Maybe more like the independent films of the 80s filmed on your video camera with your best friends and neighbors acting all the parts.
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Andrew James
January 16, 2014
Takes a page from Half Nelson and a page from Manic and puts together a surprisingly genuine and thoughtful drama that should really hit home in a few place for almost anyone. It still has the feeling of sort of "been there, done that" but there are enough differences in here and enough bleeding heart, emotional beats that it really trumps the competition in theaters right now. Against all better judgement, this movie is awesome.
5 people found this review helpful
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Rey Noble
March 31, 2015
I found Short Term 12 to be an enlightening and interesting film. I've heard of establishments like the one in the movie, but never been witness to one or even read about it to any true extent. Seeing such an honest and true portrayal was eye-opening. Brie Larson has been a favorite of mine since her United States of Tara days, if not prior, and this film only made me respect her more. Worth a few dollars to rent, in my humble opinion.
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