Every now and then a film comes along and unexpectedly blows you away. This is one of those films.
There is a very good chance you’ve never heard of this movie, as it made barely $1 million at the box office, despite racking up an impressive 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Short Term 12 features Oscar-winner Brie Larson as a supervising staff member at residential treatment facility which takes care of troubles teens and kids.
She works alongside her boyfriend (10 Cloverfield Lane’s John Gallagher Jnr.), and as they attempt to keep their fragile relationship going, a young girl joins the facility, and brings up a lot of repressed memories for Larson’s character.
While the plot seems simple enough, it is the fantastic performances and brilliantly subtle screenplay and direction that really elevates it to one of the best hidden gems of the last few years.
And the critics generally agreed:
“Short Term 12 is a roller coaster of every emotion, managing to be both heartwarming and heartrending at once.” – The Shortlist
“Taking its time to let the world take shape, Short Term 12 builds to an involving series of mini-climaxes without tidying up every loose end.” – Indiewire
“Brie Larson, as the caring but tormented Grace (who’s pregnant and doesn’t know if she has the faith to have her baby), and John Gallagher Jr., as her gentle-dweeb fellow worker Mason (who fears his love can’t save her), show you what emotionally naked acting is all about.” – Entertainment Weekly
“A genuinely moving look at life in a group foster home that avoids most of the usual routes into viewers’ hearts.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“This compelling human drama finds fresh energy in the inspirational-teacher genre, constantly revealing new layers to its characters.” – Variety
“It’s a delicate yet passionate creation, modest in scope but almost overwhelming in its emotional intricacy, ambition, and resonance. Easily one of the best films so far this year, it’s a nearly perfect blend of pimple-faced naturalism, righteous moral fury, nuanced social insight, and unsentimental but devastating drama.” – Village Voice
Short Term 12 is BBC One tonight at 12.40am (so, technically, the very early hours of Thursday morning).
Here is the trailer:
Clip via Movieclips Film Festivals & Indie Films
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